Market Crash 2024? Or the Buying Opportunity of a Lifetime?
Anjali stares at her plummeting portfolio. News channels scream “Recession!” while a tiny voice whispers, “Maybe this is the bottom?” Is the world ending for investors, or is this the discount sale legends are made of? This explores the intense dilemma facing every investor right now. We’ll dissect the arguments for both impending doom and a golden chance to buy quality stocks cheap, helping you navigate the confusion and decide whether fear or opportunity should guide your next move in these volatile times. Is it time to panic or pounce?
Trump’s Trade War Just Tanked Your Portfolio: What India Needs to Know NOW
Ravi checks his phone, his heart sinking as red dominates his investment app. He hears whispers of “Trump,” “tariffs,” and “trade war.” How does a political spat thousands of miles away decimate his savings in India? This piece directly addresses the fear connecting US trade policy to the Indian market meltdown. We’ll break down exactly how these tariffs impact Indian businesses, exports, and ultimately, your portfolio, providing crucial context beyond the scary headlines so you understand the real, specific risks India faces right now.
Is Nifty Headed to 15,000? My Recession Survival Plan
Priya reads a terrifying prediction: Nifty could crash to 15,000! That’s a massive 30% drop. Panic sets in. What would that mean for her goals? Can she even survive it financially? Instead of fear, this offers a concrete plan. We tackle the scary “what if” head-on, outlining practical steps – securing emergency funds, reviewing insurance, and adjusting investment strategies – to ensure you’re prepared even if the worst-case market scenario unfolds. It’s about building resilience, not predicting the unpredictable bottom.
Why ALL Stocks Are Falling (Even the Good Ones!) – The REAL Reason
Sameer is baffled. Even his “safe,” blue-chip stocks are tumbling alongside the risky ones. It feels like indiscriminate selling, a market gone mad. Why is everything falling together? This explanation dives beyond surface-level panic. We uncover the underlying mechanism – rising global tariffs. These trade barriers increase costs, stifle international business, reduce overall demand, and spook investors about future growth. This widespread economic slowdown, triggered by tariffs, is the hidden force dragging down all stocks, regardless of individual company strength.
The Simple Chart That Explains Why Markets Are Panicking (It’s About Tariffs!)
Deepak feels lost in a sea of complex financial news. Then he sees the chart – a line showing historically low tariffs suddenly spiking upwards. What does this simple visual mean? This piece uses that crucial chart as a key. It visually demonstrates the long period of global trade ease now being disrupted. We explain how this sharp rise in tariffs directly causes price inflation and slows global trade, leading to reduced revenue, lower growth expectations, and the widespread market panic we’re currently witnessing.
$87 Billion vs $800 Billion: Is India’s Economy Really Affected by US Tariffs?
Hearing that $87 billion of Indian exports are affected by US tariffs sounds catastrophic. News outlets amplify the fear. But wait, Vikram thinks, how big is that number really? This topic puts the fear into perspective. We compare the impacted $87 billion against India’s total exports of roughly $800 billion. While a 10% hit isn’t good, it’s not the economy-ending disaster some headlines suggest. It provides a data-driven reality check, arguing the impact, while serious, might be exaggerated, urging rational assessment over panicked reactions.
Stop Listening to Market Gurus! Why NO ONE Knows Where the Market is Going
Every day, Neha scrolls past confident predictions from “market gurus” – some say buy, some say sell, some predict crashes, others rallies. Who is right? This piece offers a radical truth: None of them reliably know. We argue that predicting short-term market movements, especially amidst global uncertainty like trade wars, is futile. History shows markets are complex and influenced by countless unpredictable factors. Instead of chasing forecasts, focus on what you can control: your long-term strategy, risk management, and emotional discipline.
My Portfolio is Bleeding Red: Should I Sell Everything?! (The Calm Answer)
Sunita opens her investment app and feels sick. Down 15%, 20%… the urge to just sell everything and stop the pain is overwhelming. “Cut my losses!” her brain screams. This directly addresses that primal fear. We provide the calming counter-argument: reacting emotionally is often the worst move. Selling in a panic locks in losses and misses the eventual recovery. We advocate for pausing, reviewing your long-term goals, ensuring your emergency fund is secure, and sticking to your plan, rather than making rash decisions driven by fear.
How I’m Preparing for BOTH a Market Crash AND a Market Boom (My Strategy)
Rajesh feels torn. Should he brace for a deep recession or position himself for a sharp rebound? The uncertainty is paralyzing. This topic presents a practical, balanced strategy. It outlines steps to take now that work regardless of which scenario unfolds. This involves securing essentials (emergency fund, insurance), continuing disciplined investing (like SIPs) to benefit from lower prices if markets fall, and having rules to avoid getting greedy and making mistakes if markets unexpectedly surge upwards. It’s about preparedness, not prediction.
The #1 Thing You MUST Do Before Investing a Single Rupee in This Market
Arjun is eager to buy stocks now that prices are low. He sees potential bargains everywhere. But before clicking “buy,” there’s a critical first step. This highlights the absolute foundation of sound financial planning, especially in uncertain times: the emergency fund. We explain why having 6 months of essential living expenses saved in a safe place (like an FD) is non-negotiable. This safety net protects you from being forced to sell investments at the worst possible time if you face a job loss or unexpected expense.
Why Increasing Your SIP When Markets Fall is Genius (The Math Explained)
Kavita’s instinct is to pause her SIPs as the market tumbles. Why throw good money after bad? This explanation reveals the counter-intuitive brilliance of continuing, or even increasing, SIPs during downturns. We explain Rupee Cost Averaging: when prices are low, your fixed SIP amount buys more units. This lowers your average purchase cost over time, amplifying potential gains when the market eventually recovers. It turns market dips from a source of fear into a long-term advantage for disciplined investors.
Forget the News Hype: The REAL Impact of Global Trade Wars on YOUR Money
Every headline screams disaster about trade wars. It feels overwhelming and directly threatening. But what does it actually mean for an average person’s finances, beyond the scary stock charts? This piece cuts through the noise. We connect the dots from abstract tariffs to tangible effects: higher prices for imported goods (electronics, food), potential job insecurity in export-reliant industries, and the general drag on economic growth that can impact salaries and opportunities. It’s about understanding the practical, everyday consequences.
Dotcom Bubble, GFC, Corona… Why Market Crashes ALWAYS Recover (Proof Inside!)
Young investor Rohan sees his first major market drop and thinks, “This is it, it’s different this time!” The fear feels unprecedented. This topic offers crucial historical perspective. We recount past crises – the Dotcom crash, the 2008 Global Financial Crisis, the COVID sell-off – showing charts and data demonstrating that despite deep, scary falls, markets eventually recovered and reached new highs. While painful, history teaches that resilience and long-term growth are the market’s dominant traits, providing reassurance during current turmoil.
Is This the Market Bottom? 3 Signs It Might Be Time to Buy (Carefully!)
Investors constantly ask: “Have we hit the bottom yet?” Timing the market perfectly is impossible, but are there indicators suggesting the worst might be over? This explores potential, though not foolproof, signs that a bottom could be forming. We might discuss indicators like extreme pessimism (capitulation), stabilizing volatility, or certain technical chart patterns. However, it strongly cautions against certainty, emphasizing that any buying should be gradual, strategic, and aligned with long-term goals, not based on a gamble of perfect timing.
Your Brain HATES Market Crashes: How Psychology Costs You Money
When markets plunge, rational thought often evaporates. Why do we feel compelled to sell low and buy high, acting against our own interests? This delves into behavioral finance. We explain how our “lizard brain” – focused on immediate threats (fight or flight) – takes over during market panic. Fear of loss (loss aversion) feels twice as powerful as the pleasure of gain, leading to impulsive decisions like panic selling. Understanding these ingrained psychological biases is the first step to overcoming them and making rational investment choices.
“They Took Our Jobs!” – Is Trump’s Trade War Actually GOOD for America?
We hear the anger: trade deficits, lost manufacturing jobs. From the US perspective, presented in the original text, tariffs aren’t just punitive, they’re strategic. This explores the rationale behind the US trade actions, as described. The theory is: tariffs generate government revenue, make imports expensive (encouraging local buying), and are paired with potential interest rate cuts to boost domestic demand. The goal is to reduce the deficit and strengthen the US manufacturing base. We examine this logic, not to endorse it, but to understand the motivations driving the conflict.
Recession Proof Your Finances: The Emergency Fund You NEED Right Now
Layoff rumors are swirling at Meera’s company. Suddenly, the abstract idea of a recession feels very real. What if she loses her income? This piece underscores the critical importance of an emergency fund as the ultimate personal recession defense. It’s not just about market crashes; it’s about job loss or unexpected major expenses. We stress calculating 6 months of essential expenses and keeping this cash safe and accessible. This buffer provides peace of mind and prevents financial catastrophe during economic downturns.
Why “Made in America” Could Be the Next Big Investment Theme (Thanks to Tariffs?)
If tariffs make imported goods expensive and US policy aims to boost local production, could investing in American companies poised to benefit be a smart move? This explores a potential investment thesis arising from the trade conflict. We discuss how tariffs, combined with potential incentives or lower interest rates, could theoretically shift demand towards US-based manufacturers. It examines the logic and potential sectors that might gain, while cautioning that this is a speculative theme based on complex geopolitical and economic factors.
Don’t Get Greedy! The BIGGEST Mistake Investors Make When Markets Recover
Imagine the market finally surges. Relief turns to excitement, then overconfidence. Suddenly, Ajay feels like a genius, buying obscure small-caps he barely understands, chasing quick profits. This highlights a common psychological trap. When markets rebound strongly, investors often forget the pain and start taking excessive risks, thinking they can’t lose. This often leads to significant losses when the euphoria inevitably fades. We warn against this “post-crash greed,” emphasizing sticking to your strategy and resisting impulsive, speculative bets.
How a Small Change in Tariffs Caused a GLOBAL Market Meltdown
It seems disproportionate: a few percentage points added to tariffs, and suddenly global markets are in turmoil. How does such a seemingly small change cascade so dramatically? This explains the chain reaction. Tariffs increase import costs. Companies pass these costs to consumers (inflation) or absorb them (lower profits). Other countries retaliate with their own tariffs. Global trade volume shrinks. Companies anticipate lower future revenue and cut back on investment (capex). Investor confidence plummets, leading to widespread selling. It shows how interconnected the global economy is.
Sensex Since 1980: The Long-Term Chart That Will Calm Your Nerves
Feeling anxious about the current market drop? Zoom out. Way out. This focuses on the power of long-term perspective using the Sensex’s historical performance. We showcase a chart spanning decades, highlighting numerous crashes, wars, and crises (the red bars). Despite these terrifying dips, the overall trend is undeniably upward. Seeing this visual evidence – that markets have weathered countless storms and ultimately grown – can provide powerful emotional grounding and reinforce the benefits of staying invested for the long haul.
Panic Selling vs. Patient Investing: Which Path Will You Choose?
The market plunges. Instinct screams “SELL! Get out now!” Logic whispers, “Hold on, think long-term.” You stand at a crossroads. This topic frames the core decision every investor faces during turmoil. Path one: Panic selling, driven by fear, likely locking in losses. Path two: Patient investing, sticking to your plan, perhaps even buying more via SIPs, trusting in historical recovery. We lay out the consequences of each choice, urging investors to consciously choose discipline and long-term strategy over short-term emotional reactions.
Is India More Resilient to Global Shocks Than We Think? (The Export Data)
Global headwinds are strong, and India is undoubtedly affected. But could our economy be tougher than the current panic suggests? This offers a more optimistic, data-grounded perspective. By analyzing the export data ($87bn affected vs. $800bn total), it argues that while impacted, a large portion of India’s export engine remains functional. It suggests focusing on domestic strengths and the potential for internal resilience, providing a counter-narrative to the idea that India is entirely at the mercy of global events.
Why Interest Rate Cuts in the US Could Actually Boost Their Economy (And Hurt Others?)
It sounds counter-intuitive: the US starts a trade war, causing global slowdown, then cuts its own interest rates. How does this help? This explains the potential US strategy. Lower interest rates make borrowing cheaper for American consumers and businesses. The idea is this stimulates domestic demand (people buy more houses, cars; companies invest). Coupled with tariffs making imports expensive, this demand is theoretically channeled towards American-made goods, boosting the US economy potentially at the expense of trading partners who face reduced demand.
The “Do Nothing” Investment Strategy: Why It Works in Scary Markets
Your portfolio is down. News is bad. Every instinct tells you to do something – sell, buy, change strategy. What if the best action is… nothing? This champions the often-underrated power of inaction for long-term investors. Once you have your emergency fund, insurance, and a solid SIP plan, reacting to market noise is often counterproductive. We argue that fighting the urge to tinker, avoiding panic selling, and simply letting your long-term plan work is frequently the most effective (and least stressful) approach during market turmoil.
Calculating Your 6-Month Emergency Fund: A Step-by-Step Guide
Everyone says “have an emergency fund,” but how do you actually calculate it? Amit isn’t sure what counts as an “essential” expense. This provides a clear, practical guide. Step 1: List all your absolute necessary monthly costs (rent/EMI, food, utilities, insurance, minimum loan payments – ignore discretionary spending). Step 2: Total these up. Step 3: Multiply that monthly total by six. This final number is your target emergency fund amount, which should be kept safe and easily accessible, like in an FD or liquid fund.
Life & Health Insurance: Your Financial Foundation BEFORE You Invest
Young Sameer was diligently investing, dreaming of early retirement. Then, a sudden medical emergency struck his family. Without adequate health insurance, he was forced to liquidate his growing portfolio at a loss, wiping out years of progress. This story underscores a crucial rule: Insurance comes first. Life and health insurance protect your financial plan from unexpected disasters. They ensure that unforeseen events don’t derail your savings and investment goals, forming the bedrock upon which secure wealth can be built.
Rupee Cost Averaging Explained Simply: Turn Market Dips Into Your Friend
Priya and Rina both start SIPs. When the market drops 20%, Rina pauses her investment, scared. Priya continues her fixed monthly amount. Because prices are lower, Priya’s money now buys more units of the fund each month. When the market eventually recovers, Priya’s lower average purchase cost means her overall returns are significantly higher than Rina’s. This is Rupee Cost Averaging: it systematically turns market downturns into opportunities to accumulate more assets cheaply, rewarding consistent, disciplined investors.
Global Trade Slowdown: What It Means for Company Profits (And Your Stocks)
Imagine an Indian textile company heavily reliant on exporting garments to the US. New tariffs make their products more expensive there, so US orders plummet. Fewer orders mean lower sales (revenue). To cope, the company might cut costs or delay expansion plans. Investors see this reduced future growth potential and lower profitability, causing the company’s stock price to fall. This illustrates how a global trade slowdown, often triggered by tariffs, directly impacts corporate earnings and, consequently, your stock investments.
Are We Exaggerating the Trade War Impact? A Sober Look at the Numbers
The news blasts headlines about the $87 billion hit to Indian exports from US tariffs, stoking widespread fear. But Alok decides to dig deeper. He compares this to India’s total exports of $800 billion. Suddenly, the impact, while definitely negative, seems less like an apocalyptic event (around 10%) and more like a significant challenge. This encourages a rational assessment based on data, questioning if the media narrative is amplifying the fear beyond the actual, quantifiable economic damage. Perspective matters.
How to Stay Sane When Every News Headline Screams “Market Crash!”
Anika finds herself compulsively checking market news, each negative headline sending a jolt of anxiety. Her sleep suffers, her mood darkens. This focuses on mental well-being during volatility. Constant exposure to financial panic is stressful and leads to poor decisions. Strategies include limiting news consumption, focusing on your long-term plan (not daily fluctuations), practicing mindfulness, and remembering that market downturns are normal, albeit unpleasant. Protecting your mental peace is as crucial as protecting your portfolio.
Investing for the Next 10 Years: Why Short-Term Noise Doesn’t Matter
Rohan looks at his portfolio’s 1-month chart, showing a scary 15% drop. Panic sets in. His advisor then shows him the 10-year chart for the same investment, revealing significant overall growth despite several similar dips along the way. This highlights the importance of a long-term perspective. Daily, weekly, or even monthly fluctuations (“noise”) are largely irrelevant for investors focused on goals years or decades away. Focusing on the long-term trend helps filter out panic-inducing volatility and reinforces staying the course.
The Hidden Costs of Tariffs: Why Your Everyday Items Get More Expensive
Maya notices her favorite imported coffee beans suddenly cost 20% more. She wonders why. The reason is likely tariffs – taxes imposed on imported goods. The importer pays the tariff and often passes that cost increase onto the retailer, who then passes it onto the consumer. Tariffs on steel might increase car prices; tariffs on electronics raise gadget costs. This connects abstract trade policy directly to your wallet, showing how trade wars can lead to everyday inflation for consumers.
“Portfolio Too Small to Matter?” Why Individual Investors SHOULD Still Care
Thinking her ₹1000 monthly SIP is insignificant in the grand scheme, Sneha feels discouraged during a market downturn. “What’s the point?” she wonders. But investing isn’t just about the amount; it’s about building habits and harnessing compounding. That small, consistent investment, maintained over decades, can grow into a substantial sum. Furthermore, understanding market principles and managing emotions are crucial skills regardless of portfolio size. Every investor’s journey starts small, and the principles for success remain the same.
Decoding Market Fear: Understanding Your “Reptilian Brain” Reaction
Vikram sees his portfolio value plummet and feels a visceral clench in his stomach, an urge to just run (sell everything). This isn’t logic; it’s his “reptilian brain,” the oldest part focused on survival, reacting to a perceived threat. This part triggers the fight-or-flight response, prioritizing immediate safety over complex analysis. Understanding that this primal fear reaction is normal during market drops helps you recognize it, pause, and consciously engage your rational brain to make calculated decisions instead of reacting impulsively.
What History Teaches Us About Investing Through Crises (From 1980 to Now)
A young investor, experiencing their first major crash, feels like the world is ending. An experienced colleague shares stories: the shock of the 1987 crash, the despair during the Dotcom bust, the fear of the 2008 GFC, the unprecedented COVID drop. Yet, after each crisis, the markets recovered and eventually soared higher. History doesn’t repeat exactly, but it consistently shows that economies and markets are resilient. This long-view perspective, proven through decades of data, provides powerful context and reassurance during turbulent times.
If Nifty Falls 30%, Here’s Exactly What I’m Buying
While predicting the bottom is impossible, seasoned investor Karan uses sharp market falls strategically. He maintains a “wishlist” of high-quality companies he’d love to own at a lower price. If the Nifty were to drop drastically (e.g., 30%), pushing these fundamentally sound stocks into his predetermined value zone, he plans to systematically deploy reserved cash to buy them. This isn’t market timing; it’s proactive planning – knowing what quality assets you’d want to acquire if a significant discount opportunity arises. (Note: This is about strategy, not specific stock recommendations).
The Difference Between a Correction and a Recession (And Why It Matters)
People often use “correction” and “recession” interchangeably during market turmoil, causing confusion. A correction is typically defined as a 10-20% drop in market indexes from recent highs. A recession, however, is a broader, more significant decline in general economic activity (often defined as two consecutive quarters of negative GDP growth), impacting jobs and output. Understanding the difference matters: a correction might be short-lived market volatility, while a recession signals deeper, more prolonged economic trouble requiring different financial preparedness.
Why High Valuations Suddenly Look “Great” When Markets Panic
Before the crash, Anita thought Infosys was a great company but “too expensive” based on its P/E ratio. After the market drops 30%, Infosys’s price falls significantly. While its earnings haven’t changed overnight, its valuation (P/E ratio) is now much lower. Suddenly, the previously “high” valuation looks far more reasonable, even attractive. This explains the “buying opportunity” logic: market panic can indiscriminately pull down prices of good companies, making their shares available at valuations that seemed unjustifiably high just months earlier.
Is the US Trying to Reduce Its Deficit Through Trade Wars? (The Theory)
Why would the US initiate potentially damaging trade wars? One theory presented focuses on the fiscal deficit. The argument goes: Tariffs generate direct revenue for the government. Simultaneously, by making imported goods more expensive, they aim to decrease the volume of imports. Lower imports, theoretically, reduce the trade deficit component of the overall fiscal deficit. This explores the stated economic rationale (whether effective or not) behind using tariffs as a tool allegedly aimed at strengthening the US’s financial position.
How Reciprocal Tariffs Create a Downward Spiral for Global Trade
Imagine the US puts tariffs on Indian steel. India retaliates with tariffs on US almonds. Now, US almond farmers face higher costs selling to India, and Indian steelmakers face higher costs selling to the US. Both sides are hurt. This tit-for-tat escalation is reciprocity. As more countries join, imposing tariffs on each other’s goods, the cost and complexity of international trade increase significantly, leading to shrinking trade volumes, disrupted supply chains, and a negative feedback loop that slows down the entire global economy.
Beyond SIPs: Other Smart Money Moves During a Market Downturn
Continuing your SIPs is crucial during a downturn, but what else can proactive investors do? Consider rebalancing: selling assets that have fallen less (like bonds) to buy more of those that have fallen more (like equities), bringing your portfolio back to its target allocation. Explore tax-loss harvesting (if applicable) to offset gains. Building a cash reserve (beyond the emergency fund) allows you to strategically deploy capital if specific opportunities arise. These actions complement SIPs for navigating volatility effectively.
The Emotional Rollercoaster of Investing: How to Keep Your Cool
One day, Nikhil feels euphoric as his stocks surge. The next week, a sharp drop leaves him feeling anxious and regretful. This intense swing is the emotional rollercoaster of investing. Fear and greed are powerful drivers that can lead to bad timing – buying high in excitement, selling low in panic. Keeping cool involves acknowledging these emotions without acting on them impulsively. Sticking to a pre-defined plan, focusing on long-term goals, and avoiding constant portfolio checking are key strategies for managing the ride.
Why Local vs. Imported Goods Matter in a Trade War Economy
Due to new tariffs, Jia finds the imported smartphone she wanted is now significantly more expensive than a comparable locally manufactured one. She opts for the local brand. This illustrates a key goal of tariffs: shifting consumer preference. By making imports pricier, governments hope citizens will buy domestically produced goods, boosting local industries and jobs. This dynamic highlights how trade policy directly influences consumer choices and the competitive landscape between domestic and international companies in the local market.
Could a Global Trade Slowdown Stall India’s Growth Story?
India’s economy has strong domestic drivers, but exports are also significant. With global trade slowing due to tariffs and geopolitical tensions, a critical question arises: Can India’s internal consumption and investment fully compensate for weaker international demand? This poses the challenge. While India might be more resilient than some economies, a sustained global slowdown could still act as a headwind, potentially moderating the pace of India’s overall growth story, even if it doesn’t halt it completely.
“Buy the Dip” – Is It Really Good Advice? When NOT To Do It
The phrase “buy the dip” sounds like simple, winning advice. But blindly buying any stock just because its price has fallen can be dangerous. What if the dip is due to fundamental problems with the company, not just market sentiment? That’s like “catching a falling knife.” True dip-buying requires research: understanding why the price fell and assessing if it’s a temporary mispricing of a quality asset or a sign of deeper trouble. Don’t buy the dip without knowing what you’re buying and why.
Visualizing Market Volatility: Understanding the Red Bars on the Chart
Looking at a long-term Sensex chart, the sharp downward red bars representing major crashes look terrifying in isolation. However, seeing them interspersed over decades of overall upward green movement provides context. This visualization helps investors understand that steep, scary drops (volatility) are a normal historical feature of market cycles, not an anomaly signalling the end. Seeing that markets have recovered from many such red bars before fosters perspective and reinforces the idea that patience through downturns is often rewarded.
From $87 Billion Worry to Long-Term Wealth: Shifting Your Mindset
Constantly focusing on the negative impact of the $87 billion export figure keeps investors anxious and reactive. This encourages a mental shift. Acknowledge the short-term challenge, but then deliberately pivot your focus towards your long-term wealth creation plan. Are you saving enough? Is your asset allocation right? Are you managing risk via diversification and insurance? Moving your mental energy from uncontrollable external worries to controllable personal actions is key for transforming short-term anxiety into long-term financial success.
The Power of Patience: Why Waiting is the Hardest (and Best) Investment Strategy
After setting up her investments, Leela feels the constant urge to tweak things, check prices, react to news. The hardest part is simply waiting. Patience is perhaps the most crucial, yet most difficult, investment virtue. Markets reward time, allowing compounding to work its magic and riding out inevitable downturns. Resisting the siren call of constant action, trusting your initial strategy, and letting your investments grow over years and decades is often the most effective path to achieving financial goals.
My Final Answer: Market Crash or Buying Chance? (It’s Simpler Than You Think)
So, is this the end of the world or the sale of the century? The truth is, nobody knows for sure. Obsessing over predicting the market’s next move is futile. The real answer lies in preparation for both possibilities. Secure your foundation (emergency fund, insurance), invest systematically (SIPs) regardless of market direction, manage your emotions, and focus on your long-term goals. By doing this, you’re ready whether the market falls further or starts booming tomorrow. Preparedness trumps prediction.