The same can be said if you stay long in a bear market. Right now the Nasdaq is down 30% from the peak and both the Dow and Spx are down 20%. So that 2- 3 year return just vanished in a matter of a few months for staying long forever .
Not really, investing in solid companies with long track records of turning profits and selling at a reasonable P/E ratio hold up better in a downturn then high P/E spec companies.
It really depends on your goals and investing style and using the word "peak" to judge realized and unrealized gains and losses isnt representative of the typical investment. Most people investing cant not hit peaks and downturns within a couple week or even month period, if they do then it is more luck and would not work over the long term.
What I am saying is the unrealized gain isnt gone forever (if at all) if you invested in a company with a history of solid earnings growth because the P/E would just be that more attractive.
Example over the last 3 years, as of last nights close, even after the last few month market melt down;
WMT = up 20% over the last three years
TMUS = up roughly 80%
WFC = down 6% or so... (except for me because I bought more when it was getting trashed mid to late 2020, all the way down into the low twenties.
and these above numbers take into account the worst the market has dished out in a long time, any rebound and they are right back up there any downturn and my unrealized gains are still not gone. I believe the 3 stocks I mentioned are really solid up or down long term investments.
I will admit... WFC keeps me at the edge of my seat! A bit out of my comfort zone.
This isnt a get rich quick things for me, its a fun thing, watching my money grow. Sure, get rich quick is nice, I just dont think or would advise someone that it will work over decades of investing.
Kind of like the lottery, sure, there are some big, huge winners out there but that is not the norm.
I did say to Dave Hess, wow, I wish I sold these 3 off just a few months ago as they all hit highs, I SERIOUSLY considered it... but I have felt that way before and was glad I didnt and I guess this is what long term is about, solid earnings and or low P/E... I do agree the WFC is a bit "out there" but its worked out well for me.
True, like I say, no right or wrong, Im preserving and growing my investment, I wont strike it rich, just looking for solid earnings with what I think, low exposure. Maybe with some stroke of luck one day ... well...
I will admit, some tech stocks are starting to look attractive to me... but whatever.