• drre@feddit.org
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    9 hours ago

    yes, generally it’s l/(1-l), where l is the loss (ranging from 0 to 1). Example: if you loose 10%, your portfolio needs to grow 11.11% to compensate just for the loss. go figure how long that is gonna take

    • 52fighters@lemmy.sdf.org
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      5 hours ago

      It is even worse if you are at the withdraw stage of life (generally retirement) because liquidated shares cannot participate in any later market increase.

    • FuglyDuck@lemmy.world
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      8 hours ago

      correct me if I’m wrong here, but that 11%, to roll with your example, would need to be recovered immediately for that math. Like every month it doesn’t go back up… that’s compounding the lost opportunity. And if 2008 is anything to go by… it’s not just going to go back up, it’s going to take time.

      like, if you expect a certain amount of growth, it’s unlikely you’ll get the 11% plus that “normal” growth back.

      • Frozengyro@lemmy.world
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        5 hours ago

        Over 30 years with the ups and downs it averages 10-12% a year. So while this year will probably be bad, next year or the year after will probably be exceptionally good.

      • FuglyDuck@lemmy.world
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        8 hours ago

        it kind of depends on what you did with that money. There is an opportunity cost there.

        I used my 401k to start a company. so far that’s performing well above the market (and continuing to. It’s a second job so I’m reinvesting that with annual contribution caps, etc.)

        • compostgoblin@slrpnk.net
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          4 hours ago

          I’m glad that’s worked well for you! For the overwhelming majority, keeping their money in the 401k and continuing to make regular contributions, regardless of market volatility, is the wisest course of action.