Most people have heard the trope that financial markets are like a rollercoaster. But in March, the stock market took investors on the ride of their lives.
As countries around the world quickly shut down large swathes of their economies to contain the spread of COVID-19, Canada’s benchmark stock index shed around 35 per cent of its value.
It was a gut-wrenching moment — one that has prompted many to rethink their investment strategy. According to a recent poll conducted by Ipsos for Global News, some 14 per cent of Canadians are changing their approach to investing amid the novel coronavirus pandemic.
But is that a good idea? The answer, generally, is no, said Robb Engen, a fee-only financial planner based in Lethbridge, Alta.