Enid, OK – Amid significant market turbulence, a local financial advisor is reassuring Oklahomans that long-term investors, particularly those saving for retirement, need not panic over the recent drops in the stock market.
The Dow Jones Industrial Average plummeted more than 2,200 points on Friday, following a historic drop of nearly 1,700 points the day before. This sharp decline is largely attributed to the economic fallout from President Donald Trump’s decision to impose tariffs on several of the United States’ largest trade partners, with China recently retaliating by implementing tariffs of its own.
Sam Jurrens, a Chartered Financial Analyst and founder of the financial advisory firm Even Herd, noted that the market drop is one of the fastest declines seen in recent history. “It’s definitely one of the fastest drops the market’s seen in history,” Jurrens said. He likened the uncertainty surrounding the market to the widespread confusion seen during the coronavirus pandemic, a crisis that also saw dramatic swings in market performance due to government-imposed lockdowns and unclear economic forecasts.
“The market panics when there’s a lack of clarity and when governments take drastic actions, such as shutting down economies,” Jurrens explained. “What we’re experiencing now is another instance of that kind of uncertainty.”
While the severity of the stock market’s reaction to the trade tensions between the U.S. and China has caught many by surprise, Jurrens cautioned that this volatility doesn’t necessarily point to long-term economic struggles. He acknowledged that President Trump’s initial tariff plans were more extreme than investors had anticipated, contributing to the immediate market response. However, he emphasized that the situation could ultimately result in positive outcomes, despite the short-term turmoil.
For Oklahomans concerned about their retirement savings, Jurrens offered reassurance. “If you’re looking at retirement and it’s money you’re not going to touch for at least five, ten, even twenty years or more, you shouldn’t be overly worried about these fluctuations,” he said. According to Jurrens, those with a long-term investment horizon should remain focused on their goals, rather than react to daily market swings.
Jurrens urged Oklahomans to take a step back and view the current market volatility through the lens of long-term financial planning. While short-term market movements may be unsettling, the financial advisor emphasized that patience is key, and the market has historically recovered from even the most significant downturns.
