Spring didn’t just bring pollen. It brought a sharp dose of market volatility. A tariff announcement on April 2 triggered a rapid 12% drop in the S&P 500, fueling fears of a broader downturn. However, just weeks later, markets rebounded. By June 23, the S&P had recovered and was up 2.1% for the year.

That whiplash felt intense, but it wasn’t unusual. In fact, it’s a textbook example of how markets behave. Volatility isn’t a sign that something is broken. It’s the cost of long-term participation and it often rewards those who stay put.

Zooming Out: This is Normal

Since 1980, the average intra-year decline in the S&P 500 has been around 14%, yet the index finished higher in 33 of those 44 years. Drops are part of the rhythm, not the exception.

Even more striking: missing just the 10 best days in the market over the past two decades would have cut your total return in half. The true risk of trying to sidestep short-term pain: missing the bounce-back that usually follows.

Planning for What You Can’t Predict

At The Watchman Group, we build portfolios with volatility in mind. We don’t pretend to know what the next headline will be. Instead, we anchor your allocation to your timeline, income needs, and risk tolerance.

For shorter-term goals, we use stable, income-generating investments. For long-term growth, we lean into equities and real estate. Corrections are part of the journey, and so are the returns.

The urge to “fix” your portfolio when markets drop is understandable. But more often, the real mistake is walking away from a solid strategy at the exact wrong moment.

What This Spring Reminded Us

What played out from April to June wasn’t unprecedented. It was familiar. A steep drop followed by a rapid rebound.

• April 2 to April 9: The S&P 500 falls over 12%.
• By May 2: Fully recovered.
• By June 23: Up 2.1% for the year.

That wasn’t an outlier. It was a case study. Markets don’t move in straight lines. They pause, they drop, they rebound. If that ride made you uneasy, you weren’t alone. But discomfort is not a cue to abandon the plan. It’s a reminder to revisit it, make sure it still fits, and then stick with it.

Bottom Line

Our investment strategies aren’t built to avoid turbulence. They’re built to navigate through it. If recent volatility shook your confidence, it’s a good time to revisit your plan to confirm it still fits your goals and risk comfort.

Corrections come and go. Recoveries tend to follow. The investors who stay the course usually come out ahead, not because they’re fearless, but because they’re focused.

Stay the path. This is what long-term investing actually looks like.