Even With the Worst Timing, the Market Still Rewards Patience
What if you only invested at the worst possible times—right at market peaks?
That’s exactly what the chart below illustrates. Since 1950, if you invested in the S&P 500 at the top of each bull market, you still would have earned an average 7.2% annual return through today.
Let that sink in:
Even with perfectly bad timing, the long-term investor still wins.
3 Key Lessons from This Data
1. Long-Term Gains Are Possible — Even with Poor Timing
Buying high isn’t ideal. But it’s not fatal. Staying invested, even after market tops, still produced strong, consistent returns over time.
2. Market Resilience Is Real
From recessions and rate hikes to tech crashes and global crises, the S&P 500 has proven one thing: recovery is powerful. The market has always moved forward — and taken disciplined investors with it.
3. The Case for Staying Invested
Trying to time the market is tempting — but costly. This data reinforces why long-term investors should stay focused, ignore the noise, and remain committed to their plan.
Investing isn’t about timing the market. It’s about time in the market.
If you’re sitting on cash, waiting for the “perfect moment,” let’s talk. We’ll help you build a plan rooted in strategy — not headlines.
