Market volatility and staying invested are essential for long-term success. Missing the market’s best days can significantly reduce investment returns.
Riding the Surge: Why the Market’s Best Days Require Weathering Its Worst
The stock market is rarely a placid lake. It is a vast and restless ocean, shaped by forces that can shift quickly and without warning. For disciplined investors, market volatility and staying invested are closely connected. The turbulence of early 2026, driven by geopolitical tensions and rising energy prices, is a powerful reminder that the market’s strongest recoveries often follow its most difficult declines.
Market Volatility in 2026: Why Staying Invested Matters
During the first quarter of 2026, markets experienced a meaningful pullback. As tensions surrounding the U.S.-Iran conflict escalated and oil prices surged more than 60 percent, the S&P 500 declined nearly 10 percent from its late-January peak.
Investor sentiment weakened as headlines focused on uncertainty, including disruptions to global energy supply routes. In these moments, the instinct to move to cash can feel like a rational way to regain control.
However, as ceasefire discussions began to emerge, markets responded quickly. The rebound was not gradual. Instead, it included one of the strongest single-day gains since April 2025. Investors who exited during the downturn risked missing that recovery entirely.
Why the Best Days Follow the Worst Days
Periods of market volatility often include both the worst and best trading days in close succession
One of the most important patterns in financial markets is that extreme gains and losses tend to cluster together.
Over the past two decades:
Six of the ten best market days occurred within two weeks of the ten worst days
Five of those best days happened immediately after major selloffs
A clear example occurred during the COVID-19 market shock in 2020. On March 12, the market experienced one of its steepest declines. The very next day, it delivered one of its strongest gains.
This pattern highlights a critical reality: avoiding market downturns often means missing the recovery that follows.
The Cost of Ignoring Market Volatility and Not Staying Invested
Missing the market’s best days can significantly reduce long-term investment outcomes
Attempting to move in and out of the market can have a significant long-term impact on wealth.
Consider a hypothetical investment of $10,000 in the S&P 500 starting in 2006:
Staying fully invested over 20 years leads to substantial long-term growth
Missing just the 10 best trading days reduces total returns by more than half
Missing 20 or 50 of the best days can dramatically erode or even eliminate long-term gains
Because market rebounds often occur during periods of heightened volatility, investors who step aside during uncertain periods may find it difficult to re-enter at the right time.
Market declines trigger a natural emotional response. Research in behavioral finance shows that losses feel more significant than gains of the same size.
This can lead to:
Emotional decision-making
Short-term reactions to long-term investments
A desire to act during periods of uncertainty
While these responses are understandable, they can work against long-term investment success.
Staying Invested Through Market Volatility and Uncertainty
A disciplined investment approach is designed to withstand periods of volatility.
Key principles include:
Maintaining a diversified portfolio
Aligning investments with long-term financial goals
Holding an appropriate level of cash for short-term needs
A strong portfolio is often built through thoughtful portfolio management.
Rather than reacting to short-term market movements, investors benefit from staying focused on long-term strategy.
The Bottom Line
Market volatility is not an anomaly. It is a natural part of investing. The same conditions that create sharp declines often lay the foundation for strong recoveries.
Investors who remain disciplined during periods of uncertainty are better positioned to participate in the market’s long-term growth.
This reinforces why market volatility and staying invested remain essential for long-term investment success.
FAQ Section
Why is staying invested important during market volatility?
Staying invested allows investors to participate in market recoveries, which often occur shortly after periods of decline.
What happens if you miss the best days in the stock market?
Missing even a small number of the best trading days can significantly reduce long-term investment returns.
Can you successfully time the market?
Consistently timing the market is extremely difficult because the best and worst days often occur close together.
Why do markets recover after declines?
Market recoveries are often driven by improving sentiment, policy changes, or resolution of uncertainty following periods of stress.
Important Disclosures
FAS Wealth Partners, Inc. (“FAS”) is a federally registered investment advisor with the Securities and
Exchange Commission. This material is limited to the dissemination of general information pertaining to
its diversified services. Accordingly, the publication of this material should not be construed by any
consumer and/or prospective client as FAS solicitation to effect, or attempt to effect, transactions in
securities or the rendering of personalized investment or tax advice for compensation, over the Internet.
Any subsequent, direct communication by FAS with a prospective client shall be conducted by a
representative that is either registered or qualifies for an exemption or exclusion from registration in the
state where the prospective client resides. For information pertaining to the registration status of FAS,
please contact the SEC or the state securities law administrators for those states in which FAS maintains
registration or notice filing. FAS current written disclosure statement (Form ADV Part 2A) discussing FAS
business operations, services, and fees is available from FAS upon written request.
The information provided by FAS, or any portion thereof, may not be copied or distributed without FAS
prior written approval. All statements are current as of the date written and does not constitute an offer or
solicitation to any person in any jurisdiction in which such offer or solicitation is not authorized or to any
person to whom it would be unlawful to make such offer or solicitation. The standard fee schedules for
FAS strategies are shown in the firm’s Form ADV Part 2.
This information was produced by, and the opinions expressed are those of FAS as of the date of writing
and are subject to change. Any research is based on FAS proprietary research and analysis of global markets
and investing. The information and/or analysis presented have been compiled or arrived at from sources
believed to be reliable, however FAS does not make any representation as their accuracy or completeness
and does not accept liability for any loss arising from the use hereof. Some internally generated information
may be considered theoretical in nature and is subject to inherent limitations associated therein. There are
no material changes to the conditions, objectives, or investment strategies of the model portfolios for the
period portrayed. Any sectors or allocations referenced may or may not be represented in portfolios of
clients of FAS, and do not represent all the securities purchased, sold, or recommended for client accounts.
Certain portions of this material (i.e., newsletters, articles, commentaries, etc.) may contain a discussion of,
and/or provide access to, FAS (and those of other investment and non-investment professionals) positions
and/or recommendations as of a specific prior date. Due to various factors, including changing market
conditions, such discussion may no longer be reflective of current position(s) and/or recommendation(s).
Moreover, no client or prospective client should assume that any such discussion serves as the receipt of,
or a substitute for, personalized advice from FAS, or from any other investment, tax, or financial
professional. FAS is neither an attorney nor accountant, and no portion of the material content should be
interpreted as legal, accounting or tax advice. FAS recommends clients and prospective clients consult their
tax professionals before enacting strategy or recommendation perceived to have been made in this material.
Accordingly, any discussion of U.S. tax matters contained herein (including any attachments) is not
intended or written to be used, and cannot be used, in connection with the promotion, marketing or
recommendation by anyone unaffiliated with FAS of any of the matters addressed herein or for the purpose
of avoiding U.S. tax-related penalties.
Past performance may not be indicative of future results. Therefore, no current or prospective client should
assume that future performance of any specific investment, investment strategy (including the investments
and/or investment strategies recommended by FAS) or product referred to directly or indirectly by FAS in
its material, or indirectly via a link to an unaffiliated third-party material, will be profitable or equal the
corresponding indicated performance level(s). The standard deviations, information ratios and allocation
targets may be higher or lower at any time. There is no guarantee that these measurements will be achieved.
The information provided should not be considered a recommendation to purchase or sell a particular
security. Any specific securities identified do not represent all the securities purchased, sold or
recommended for advisory clients, and may be only a small percentage of the entire portfolio and may not
remain in the portfolio at the time you receive this report. Different types of investments involve varying
degrees of risk, and there can be no assurance that any specific investment will either be suitable or
profitable for a client or prospective client’s investment portfolio. Historical performance results for
investment indices and/or categories generally do not reflect the deduction of transaction and/or custodial
charges, the deduction of an investment management fee, nor the impact of taxes, the incurrence of which
would have the effect of decreasing historical performance results.
Due to differences in actual account allocations, account opening date, timing of cash flow in or out of the
account, rebalancing frequency, and various other transaction-based or market factors, a client’s actual
return may be materially different than those portrayed in the model results. The reader should not assume
that any investments in sectors and markets identified or described were or will be profitable. Investing
entails risks, including possible loss of principal. The use of tools cannot guarantee performance. Past
performance is no guarantee of future results. The information provided may contain projections or other
forward-looking statements regarding future events, targets, or expectations, and is only current as of the
date indicated. There is no assurance that such events or targets will be achieved and may be significantly
different than that shown here. The information presented, including statements concerning financial
market trends, is based on current market conditions, which will fluctuate and may be superseded by
subsequent market events or for other reasons. The charts depicted within this presentation are for
illustrative purposes only and are not indicative of future performance. The data do not reflect the material
differences between stocks, bonds, bills, and inflation, such as fees (including sales and management fees),
expenses or tax consequences.
FAS Wealth Partners Recognized on Two Kansas City Business Journal Lists Leawood, KS – 12/04/2025 FAS Wealth Partners is proud to be recognized by the Kansas City Business Journal in
Leawood, KS – 10/14/2025 – FAS Wealth Partners is proud to announce its inclusion on the Forbes 2025 list of America’s Top 250 Registered Investment Advisor (RIA) Firms. FAS is the
Chart of the Month | April 2026
Riding the Surge: Why the Market’s Best Days Require Weathering Its Worst
The stock market is rarely a placid lake. It is a vast and restless ocean, shaped by forces that can shift quickly and without warning. For disciplined investors, market volatility and staying invested are closely connected. The turbulence of early 2026, driven by geopolitical tensions and rising energy prices, is a powerful reminder that the market’s strongest recoveries often follow its most difficult declines.
Market Volatility in 2026: Why Staying Invested Matters
During the first quarter of 2026, markets experienced a meaningful pullback. As tensions surrounding the U.S.-Iran conflict escalated and oil prices surged more than 60 percent, the S&P 500 declined nearly 10 percent from its late-January peak.
Investor sentiment weakened as headlines focused on uncertainty, including disruptions to global energy supply routes. In these moments, the instinct to move to cash can feel like a rational way to regain control.
However, as ceasefire discussions began to emerge, markets responded quickly. The rebound was not gradual. Instead, it included one of the strongest single-day gains since April 2025. Investors who exited during the downturn risked missing that recovery entirely.
Why the Best Days Follow the Worst Days
One of the most important patterns in financial markets is that extreme gains and losses tend to cluster together.
Over the past two decades:
A clear example occurred during the COVID-19 market shock in 2020. On March 12, the market experienced one of its steepest declines. The very next day, it delivered one of its strongest gains.
This pattern highlights a critical reality: avoiding market downturns often means missing the recovery that follows.
The Cost of Ignoring Market Volatility and Not Staying Invested
Attempting to move in and out of the market can have a significant long-term impact on wealth.
Consider a hypothetical investment of $10,000 in the S&P 500 starting in 2006:
Because market rebounds often occur during periods of heightened volatility, investors who step aside during uncertain periods may find it difficult to re-enter at the right time.
This highlights the importance of a well-structured long-term financial planning approach.
Behavioral Finance and Market Volatility
Market declines trigger a natural emotional response. Research in behavioral finance shows that losses feel more significant than gains of the same size.
This can lead to:
While these responses are understandable, they can work against long-term investment success.
Staying Invested Through Market Volatility and Uncertainty
A disciplined investment approach is designed to withstand periods of volatility.
Key principles include:
A strong portfolio is often built through thoughtful portfolio management.
Rather than reacting to short-term market movements, investors benefit from staying focused on long-term strategy.
The Bottom Line
Market volatility is not an anomaly. It is a natural part of investing. The same conditions that create sharp declines often lay the foundation for strong recoveries.
Investors who remain disciplined during periods of uncertainty are better positioned to participate in the market’s long-term growth.
This reinforces why market volatility and staying invested remain essential for long-term investment success.
FAQ Section
Why is staying invested important during market volatility?
Staying invested allows investors to participate in market recoveries, which often occur shortly after periods of decline.
What happens if you miss the best days in the stock market?
Missing even a small number of the best trading days can significantly reduce long-term investment returns.
Can you successfully time the market?
Consistently timing the market is extremely difficult because the best and worst days often occur close together.
Why do markets recover after declines?
Market recoveries are often driven by improving sentiment, policy changes, or resolution of uncertainty following periods of stress.
Important Disclosures
FAS Wealth Partners, Inc. (“FAS”) is a federally registered investment advisor with the Securities and
Exchange Commission. This material is limited to the dissemination of general information pertaining to
its diversified services. Accordingly, the publication of this material should not be construed by any
consumer and/or prospective client as FAS solicitation to effect, or attempt to effect, transactions in
securities or the rendering of personalized investment or tax advice for compensation, over the Internet.
Any subsequent, direct communication by FAS with a prospective client shall be conducted by a
representative that is either registered or qualifies for an exemption or exclusion from registration in the
state where the prospective client resides. For information pertaining to the registration status of FAS,
please contact the SEC or the state securities law administrators for those states in which FAS maintains
registration or notice filing. FAS current written disclosure statement (Form ADV Part 2A) discussing FAS
business operations, services, and fees is available from FAS upon written request.
The information provided by FAS, or any portion thereof, may not be copied or distributed without FAS
prior written approval. All statements are current as of the date written and does not constitute an offer or
solicitation to any person in any jurisdiction in which such offer or solicitation is not authorized or to any
person to whom it would be unlawful to make such offer or solicitation. The standard fee schedules for
FAS strategies are shown in the firm’s Form ADV Part 2.
This information was produced by, and the opinions expressed are those of FAS as of the date of writing
and are subject to change. Any research is based on FAS proprietary research and analysis of global markets
and investing. The information and/or analysis presented have been compiled or arrived at from sources
believed to be reliable, however FAS does not make any representation as their accuracy or completeness
and does not accept liability for any loss arising from the use hereof. Some internally generated information
may be considered theoretical in nature and is subject to inherent limitations associated therein. There are
no material changes to the conditions, objectives, or investment strategies of the model portfolios for the
period portrayed. Any sectors or allocations referenced may or may not be represented in portfolios of
clients of FAS, and do not represent all the securities purchased, sold, or recommended for client accounts.
Certain portions of this material (i.e., newsletters, articles, commentaries, etc.) may contain a discussion of,
and/or provide access to, FAS (and those of other investment and non-investment professionals) positions
and/or recommendations as of a specific prior date. Due to various factors, including changing market
conditions, such discussion may no longer be reflective of current position(s) and/or recommendation(s).
Moreover, no client or prospective client should assume that any such discussion serves as the receipt of,
or a substitute for, personalized advice from FAS, or from any other investment, tax, or financial
professional. FAS is neither an attorney nor accountant, and no portion of the material content should be
interpreted as legal, accounting or tax advice. FAS recommends clients and prospective clients consult their
tax professionals before enacting strategy or recommendation perceived to have been made in this material.
Accordingly, any discussion of U.S. tax matters contained herein (including any attachments) is not
intended or written to be used, and cannot be used, in connection with the promotion, marketing or
recommendation by anyone unaffiliated with FAS of any of the matters addressed herein or for the purpose
of avoiding U.S. tax-related penalties.
Past performance may not be indicative of future results. Therefore, no current or prospective client should
assume that future performance of any specific investment, investment strategy (including the investments
and/or investment strategies recommended by FAS) or product referred to directly or indirectly by FAS in
its material, or indirectly via a link to an unaffiliated third-party material, will be profitable or equal the
corresponding indicated performance level(s). The standard deviations, information ratios and allocation
targets may be higher or lower at any time. There is no guarantee that these measurements will be achieved.
The information provided should not be considered a recommendation to purchase or sell a particular
security. Any specific securities identified do not represent all the securities purchased, sold or
recommended for advisory clients, and may be only a small percentage of the entire portfolio and may not
remain in the portfolio at the time you receive this report. Different types of investments involve varying
degrees of risk, and there can be no assurance that any specific investment will either be suitable or
profitable for a client or prospective client’s investment portfolio. Historical performance results for
investment indices and/or categories generally do not reflect the deduction of transaction and/or custodial
charges, the deduction of an investment management fee, nor the impact of taxes, the incurrence of which
would have the effect of decreasing historical performance results.
Due to differences in actual account allocations, account opening date, timing of cash flow in or out of the
account, rebalancing frequency, and various other transaction-based or market factors, a client’s actual
return may be materially different than those portrayed in the model results. The reader should not assume
that any investments in sectors and markets identified or described were or will be profitable. Investing
entails risks, including possible loss of principal. The use of tools cannot guarantee performance. Past
performance is no guarantee of future results. The information provided may contain projections or other
forward-looking statements regarding future events, targets, or expectations, and is only current as of the
date indicated. There is no assurance that such events or targets will be achieved and may be significantly
different than that shown here. The information presented, including statements concerning financial
market trends, is based on current market conditions, which will fluctuate and may be superseded by
subsequent market events or for other reasons. The charts depicted within this presentation are for
illustrative purposes only and are not indicative of future performance. The data do not reflect the material
differences between stocks, bonds, bills, and inflation, such as fees (including sales and management fees),
expenses or tax consequences.
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