Over the past 30 days, the stock market has been unusually volatile — sharp rallies followed by sudden drops — and although the swings go both ways, the broader trend has been downward.
If you zoom in to the last five days, the chart looks even more unsettling, with a steeper decline and faster mood swings.
For many investors, this type of market action triggers instinctive fear.
But if you’ve been following this blog for a while, you might remember an article I wrote back in April, during another period when the market appeared to be “crashing.” In that piece, I argued that long-term investors should stay steady, continue buying, and avoid panic. You can revisit that message here:
Eight months later, that philosophy has proven itself — again.
A Look Back: What Happened to the April Investments?
Here’s where the same ETFs I recommended in April stand today:
| ETF | April Price | Current Price | Gain |
|---|---|---|---|
| VOO (S&P 500) | 456.74 | 608 | +151.26 |
| QQQ (Tech/Growth) | 416.06 | 598.39 | +182.33 |
| SCHD (Dividend/Income) | 24.32 | 27 | +2.68 |
If you followed through and stayed invested — or continued dollar-cost-averaging — you would have seen meaningful appreciation across all three ETFs, even with the recent pullback.
This aligns with my other article about how markets historically rebound after crashes:
👉 https://helpyourfinances.com/why-you-should-stay-invested-during-market-turmoil/
The lesson has not changed:
Buy when things are on sale. Don’t panic-buy when they’re expensive.
Why These Three ETFs Still Deserve a Spot in Your Portfolio
I remain convicted in these three ETFs because each represents a different strength in the market:
➡️ VOO — Broad Market Strength
This ETF tracks the S&P 500, giving you exposure to America’s largest companies. When the market grows, VOO grows.
➡️ QQQ — The Engine of Innovation
QQQ captures tech leadership — companies pushing AI, cloud computing, semiconductors, and innovation forward.
➡️ SCHD — Income, Stability, and Consistency
When growth cools down, SCHD often holds the line with quality dividend-paying companies.
And we’re seeing that dynamic in real time.
A Telling 1-Month Chart: Stability Matters
Take a look at the 1-month comparison chart:
What do you notice?
- Earlier in the month, VOO and QQQ were climbing, while
- SCHD lagged slightly.
But as the market turned downward:
- VOO and QQQ both fell sharply, while
- SCHD rose and showed stability.
This is exactly the point of a balanced portfolio.
When growth struggles, dividend/value often steps in to stabilize the ride.
What Investors Should Do Now
There is no guarantee that everything rebounds next week or next month.
But that’s not the point.
The point is:
✅ Stay steady
✅ Don’t panic
✅ Keep dollar-cost-averaging
✅ Buy quality assets when they go on sale
Downturns are not threats — they are opportunities.
And history shows that the investors who stay disciplined during times like these are the ones rewarded when the market eventually recovers.
Keep investing. Keep calm. Keep playing the long game.
Related Articles:
- Why SCHD’s Dip Is the Perfect Time to Start Investing
- Why the Boring Index Investor Beats the Profit-Taker Over Time
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