Drawdowns Never Feel Great - But They’re Normal
2025 has delivered its fair share of market volatility, and many investors are asking: “Is this normal?”
The short answer is—yes. Since 1980, the average intra-year market decline has been about 14.1%. That’s right—even in years that ended strong, markets experienced meaningful dips along the way.
Here’s the encouraging part: markets rarely finish the year at their lowest point, and they’ve ended positive in roughly 75% of those years.
After two consecutive years of gains exceeding 20%, a period of cooling off isn’t just expected—it’s healthy.
Stay focused, stay invested, and remember: volatility is a feature of the market, not a flaw.
If you’re feeling uncertain about your plan, let’s talk. Message me directly or schedule a time to chat.
The S&P 500 is an unmanaged index of 500 widely held stocks that is generally considered representative of the U.S. stock market. Every investor's situation is unique, and you should consider your investment goals, risk tolerance and time horizon before making any investment. Prior to making an investment decision, please consult with your financial advisor about your individual situation. The foregoing information has been obtained from sources considered to be reliable, but we do not guarantee that it is accurate or complete, it is not a statement of all available data necessary for making an investment decision, and it does not constitute a recommendation. Any opinions are those of Michael Fitzgerald and not necessarily those of Raymond James.
