To The Moon

The U.S. stock market has been on a rollercoaster ride, with the Nasdaq 100, S&P 500, and Dow Jones breaking their four-week losing streak last week. This shift in momentum raises an important question: Is it time to go long, or should we remain cautious?

For me, this recent market behavior has been a valuable reminder to be more thoughtful and strategic before making any investment decisions. Here’s what I’ve learned and how I’m approaching the market moving forward:

1. A Reality Check: The Market Doesn’t Only Go Up

The stock market has been bullish for a long time, making it easy to forget that corrections are normal. The recent four-week losing streak served as a wake-up call that markets don’t just move “up, up, up” forever—there will always be pullbacks and periods of volatility.

S&P 500 (.SPX)

This reminder is crucial because it helps me avoid blind optimism and FOMO (fear of missing out). Instead of chasing stocks at high prices, I’ve learned to stay patient and wait for better opportunities.

2. Avoiding Emotional Trading & FOMO

After a strong bull run, it’s tempting to rush back into the market at the first sign of recovery. However, I’ve learned that not every dip is a buying opportunity—some dips continue to dip further.

The recent market correction taught me to:

Think twice (or thrice) before buying – Don’t rush into a trade just because others are.

Avoid chasing rebounds too early – Just because the market had a good week doesn’t mean the downtrend is over.

Look for confirmation – A single week of gains isn’t enough to confirm a new bullish trend.

3. Buying Low, but with a Strategy

I still believe in the principle of buying low, but that doesn’t mean buying blindly. Instead, I focus on:

• Only buying stocks and ETFs that I truly believe in 📈

• Being okay with holding even if prices fall further – Investing with a long-term mindset

• Looking for strong fundamentals – Not just buying because a stock is “cheaper”

If the market continues to dip, I see it as a chance to accumulate quality assets at lower prices rather than panicking.

4. The Importance of Risk Management

While a potential rebound is exciting, I remind myself to be cautious and manage risk properly:

• Diversification is key – Not putting all my money into a single stock or sector

• Gradual buying instead of all-in – Using dollar-cost averaging (DCA) to reduce risk

• Setting exit strategies – So I’m not caught in another downtrend

Rather than making impulsive decisions, I focus on a strategy that ensures I don’t take on too much risk, even if the market gets volatile again.

5. Staying Positive While Remaining Realistic

Yes, the market went through a rough four weeks, but history shows that corrections are temporary and often set the stage for future growth. While I remain cautious, I also remind myself to:

Stay positive and not panic

Focus on long-term investing rather than short-term price swings

Be patient and wait for strong opportunities

Final Thoughts: Should You Go Long Now?

The market breaking its losing streak is a positive sign, but it doesn’t necessarily mean it’s time to go all-in. Instead, I’m taking a balanced approach: ✔ Watching for further confirmation of a trend reversal ✔ Being selective with my investments, focusing on quality stocks and ETFs ✔ Avoiding FOMO-driven decisions and sticking to risk management principles

The key takeaway? Be optimistic, but stay cautious. The stock market always has ups and downs—what matters is how you navigate them.