2016 started off with a thud: in December the Fed started what is expected to be  the first in a series of interest rate increases China’s growth was faltering, oil prices were crashing, and the Eurozone was struggling with the massive influx of refugees .  The market responded to the growing fear with a roughly10% drop, in what’s frequently referred to as a correction.

Let’s put that 10% decline in perspective.  Over the past 7 years the S&P 500 has had 7 years of positive returns, more than recovering the horrific losses in 2008.  Of these seven years of recovery, the S&P 500 had 5 years of double-digit returns.  Market corrections are fairly regular and may indicate underlying problems – or may be an opportunity to capitalize on opportunities.

If you have a financial plan in place, follow the guidelines; if you don’t have one, why not?  It could help put you at ease when the going gets tough.