These days, it seems inflation is all investors can talk about. It’s no secret that inflation can have a mixed impact on stocks and the stock market as a whole. Generally speaking, value stocks typically fare well when inflation is high, whereas growth stocks usually struggle during these periods.
Certain stocks see share prices plummet, while others spike to nosebleed valuations. In short, the market tends to be turbulent in inflationary environments, just as we’re seeing right now. Inflation can also have a deleterious effect on some corporations’ balance sheets as the cost of doing business surges, while other companies see the reverse impact.
One thing that becomes especially apparent during inflationary periods is that the value of your money -- and often, how much you can buy with the money you have -- drops. The value of the U.S. dollar has been steadily on the downswing for a long time. For example, $1 in 1950 would have the same purchasing power of more than $11 today.
But if you’re thinking about pulling your money out of the stock market altogether, that could be a costly mistake. One of the best ways to protect your hard-earned money in a wide range of economic environments is to invest in the stock market.
While certain portions of your portfolio might see near-term declines when inflation is high, maintaining a diversified basket of investments can actually help you to protect your assets from excessive volatility and make the most of the cash you have.
On that note, let’s take a look at 15 compelling reasons not to pull your money out of the stock market right now and what long-term investors should be focusing on instead.
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