Independent article- How to invest through a downturn

Downturns, volatility and periods of uncertainty feeling like "this time is different" have, and always will be there. Over the last 100 years, there's been an endless stream of events that have come and gone, along with the many ups and downs in global stock markets. It's important to remember that declines in stock markets are a feature of investing rather than a bug. It's therefore something to plan for.

For those who are building their wealth, declines in the stock market present opportunities to add to investments at more preferable prices than they otherwise might have.

For those who are drawing from their investments; it's important to have a robust plan for what you'll do during periods where stock markets have fallen and portfolios are down to levels below where they may have been expected to be.

This tends to mean turning the tap off on any withdrawals, and using other sources to provide income; like a cash warchest or tapping into a pot of more resilient investments.

Historically, investing rules hinge on diversification, long-term focus, and fundamentals. Principles that have weathered recessions and geopolitical shocks down the ages. Trump’s unpredictability hasn’t rewritten these investing rules but amplified their urgency. Diversification, cash buffers that allow you to buy on dips, and a long-term focus remain key, but you must act faster and smarter. Protect portfolios by diversifying across assets and regions, focusing on quality stocks, and using dollar-cost averaging. Consider hedging with gold and bonds—gold’s up 15% this year but is likely to rise further. In this era of Trump-driven volatility, the best investors aren’t just reactive—they’re prepared.

The basic rules of investing haven't changed. Buying something for less than it's worth, or paying up to a fair price for something you expect to grow, are generally good strategies. What is, and always has been difficult, is avoiding the noise. Be it AI dominance or tariffs, there is always some form of noise. When considering your investments, one of the main things to consider is how soon do you need this money? That determines how easy it could be to ride out.