Market sell-off hits hard: Advisors say 'stay the course with an eye on buying'
Financial advisors urge retail investors to remain calm and check allocations against personal goals following a severe market downturn. Major indexes suffered steep declines as retail participants pulled money from individual equities, pushing the tech-heavy Nasdaq into correction territory. Despite the heavy losses and wild market moves shaking 401(k) accounts, Wall Street strategists and more than three-quarters of advisors in a CNBC flash poll view the rout as a normal correction that resets valuations and presents a fresh opportunity for buying.
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- ✓ On Thursday, the S&P 500, the Nasdaq Composite, and the Dow Jones Industrial Average ended the day down 4.36%, 5.52%, and 3.44% respectively.
- ✓ More than three-quarters of advisors in a CNBC flash poll stated that investors should check their allocation against goals or stay invested.
- ✓ The tech-heavy Nasdaq fell into correction territory by sliding more during the post-midterm sell-off.
What changed
Retail investors pulled money from individual stocks as major market indexes suffered their worst sell-off since April 2025.
Live updates
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Market Sell-Off Triggers Advisor Calls to Stay the Course
Financial advisors urge retail investors to remain calm and check allocations against personal goals following a severe market downturn. Major indexes suffered steep declines as retail participants pulled money from individual equities, pushing the tech-heavy Nasdaq into correction territory. Despite the heavy losses and wild market moves shaking 401(k) accounts, Wall Street strategists and more than three-quarters of advisors in a CNBC flash poll view the rout as a normal correction that resets valuations and presents a fresh opportunity for buying.
Why it matters
This sharp pullback represents the worst market sell-off since the Liberation Day tariff announcement in April 2025. The turbulence erased initial post-midterm election gains across major benchmarks, testing investor composure amid sudden volatility.
What is confirmed
- On Thursday, the S&P 500, the Nasdaq Composite, and the Dow Jones Industrial Average ended the day down 4.36%, 5.52%, and 3.44% respectively.
- More than three-quarters of advisors in a CNBC flash poll stated that investors should check their allocation against goals or stay invested.
- The tech-heavy Nasdaq fell into correction territory by sliding more during the post-midterm sell-off.
What to watch next
- Whether retail investors continue pulling funds from individual stocks or return to buying
- Further movements in the S&P 500, Nasdaq Composite, and Dow Jones Industrial Average following the correction
confidence 100%Sources used for this update (11)
- The New York Times — The Stock Market Can Be Volatile. Here’s How to Stay Calm.
- Fox Business — What Wall Street's tech stock sell-off means for your 401(k)
- WSJ — How to Keep These Wild Market Moves From Hijacking Your Financial Future
- www.cnbc.com — Market sell-off hits hard: Advisors say 'stay the course with ...
- CNBC — Market sell-off hits hard: Advisors say 'stay the course with an eye on buying'
- Bloomberg.com — Wall Street Strategists Call Stock Rout a Fresh Reason to Buy
- www.businessinsider.com — Stocks are surging after the post-election rout. Why Wall Street says more gains are coming.
- www.fool.com — Why Last Week's Market Sell-Off Was a Good Thing
- www.wealthfront.com — What to Know About the Post-Midterm Sell-Off | Wealthfront
- www.cnbc.com — Trump administration proposes stricter work-search rules for unemployment benefits
- www.cnbc.com — These states are offering extra ACA premium subsidies in 2027
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