US Equity Returns Following Past Downturns Have Been Positive

Sudden market downturns can be unsettling. Sticking with your plan may put you in the best position to capture a recovery.

A broad market index tracking data since 1926 in the US shows that stocks have generally delivered strong returns over one-year, three-year, and five-year periods following steep declines.

Disclosures:

Past performance is no guarantee of future results.

Periods in which cumulative return from peak is -10%, -15%, or -20% or lower and where a recovery of 10%, 15%, or 20% from trough has not yet occurred are considered downturns. For the 10% threshold, there are 3,442  observations for 1-year look-ahead, 3,396 observations for 3-year look-ahead, and 3,345 observations for 5-year look-ahead. For the 15% threshold, there are 3,175 observations for 1-year look-ahead, 3,167 observations for

3-year look-ahead, and 3,166 observations for 5-year look-ahead. For the 20% threshold, there are 2,561 observations for 1-year look-ahead, 2,560 observations for 3-year look-ahead, and 2,560 observations for 5-year look-ahead. 1-year, 3-year, and 5-year periods are overlapping periods. The bar chart shows the average returns for the 1-, 3-, and 5-year period following market declines. Data provided by Fama/French, available at mba.tuck.dartmouth. edu/pages/faculty/ken.french/data_library.html. Eugene Fama and Ken French are members of the Board of Directors of the general partner of, and provide consulting services to, Dimensional Fund Advisors LP. Short-term performance results should be considered in connection with longer-term performance results. Indices are not available for direct investment. Their performance does not reflect the expenses associated with the management of  an actual portfolio.

Investing risks include loss of principal and fluctuating value. There is no guarantee an investment strategy will be successful. Dimensional Fund Advisors LP is an investment advisor registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission.