Selling stocks during a market crisis might feel like the safest move—but it often locks in losses and cuts you off from the recovery that typically follows. Here’s why holding your ground can be the smarter play:
- You only lose when you sell. A drop in stock price is just a paper loss until you sell. If you hold, there's a chance the value will rebound as markets recover.

- Markets are resilient. Historically, every major downturn—from the 2008 financial crisis to the COVID-19 crash—has been followed by a recovery. Investors who stayed invested often came out ahead.

- You might miss the rebound. The biggest market gains often happen shortly after the worst declines. If you're out of the market, you miss those critical upswings.

- Fundamentals matter more than fear. If the companies you’ve invested in are still fundamentally strong, a temporary market panic doesn’t change their long-term value.

- Selling low is the opposite of investing smart. The classic rule is “buy low, sell high.” Panic-selling flips that on its head.

If you’re feeling anxious during a downturn, it might be better to review your portfolio’s diversification or rebalance rather than exit entirely