This is the single best investing move you can make in 2026

December 20, 2025

Key Points

The new year is a fantastic time to review your investing strategy.
While it can be tempting to hold off on buying expensive stocks, that could be a costly move.
No matter where the market is headed, it’s simpler than you might think to protect your portfolio.
10 stocks we like better than S&P 500 Index ›

The S&P 500 (SNPINDEX: ^GSPC) recently reached a new all-time high, and many investors are optimistic about the future — with more than 44% of U.S. investors feeling “bullish” about the next six months, according to the most recent weekly survey from the American Association of Individual Investors.

As we head into 2026, now is a smart time to take stock of your portfolio and adjust your strategy as needed. While everyone’s investing approach may differ, there’s one move that could help you earn far more in 2026 and beyond.

The power of consistency

With the market reaching new heights, some investors are hesitant to buy at record prices. That’s understandable, considering right now is an incredibly expensive time to invest. However, waiting for a more affordable moment to buy could end up being even more costly.

Nobody knows what the stock market will do in the near term. It could take a turn for the worse tomorrow, or prices could continue surging for another year. And sometimes, even the experts get it wrong.

For example, back in June 2022, analysts at Deutsche Bank predicted that there was a “near 100%” chance that U.S. economy would fall into a recession within a year. However, by the end of 2023, the S&P 500 had soared by more than 16%. By today, the index is up by more than 65%.

If you’d stopped investing in mid-2022 out of concern that a downturn was looming, you’d have missed out on significant potential earnings.

One of the best investing moves you can make in 2026, then, is to continue investing consistently — no matter what the market does. Prices could take a turn for the worse, but given enough time, the market will recover. And if stocks continue to surge, you’ll be prepared to capitalize on those gains.

A long-term outlook can keep your money safer

Eventually, the market is bound to face another downturn. Stocks can’t keep climbing forever, and the next bear market or recession will hit at some point. But by staying in the market for the long haul, you’re far more likely to come out the other side unscathed.

For instance, in December 2007, the S&P 500 began its descent into the Great Recession. The market wouldn’t begin recovering until mid-2009, and it took several more years for the S&P 500 to reach a new all-time high. Yet by December 2017, the index had soared by more than 80%.

In other words, even if you’d invested at the worst possible moment — at record high prices immediately before one of the worst recessions in U.S. history — you’d still have nearly doubled your money within a decade.

The key, however, is to invest in the right places. Shaky stocks will struggle to recover from market downturns, while those with solid foundations are far more likely to bounce back and experience long-term growth.

Right now is one of the best times to review your portfolio and ensure that every investment is still worthy of being there. If you find any stocks that are no longer strong investments or don’t align with your goals, selling them while the market is still thriving is a smart move.

The future of the market may be uncertain, but that doesn’t need to affect your strategy. By consistently investing in strong stocks and staying in the market for at least a decade or so, you’re far more likely to see long-term growth — regardless of what may happen in 2026.

Should you buy stock in S&P 500 Index right now?

Before you buy stock in S&P 500 Index, consider this:

The Motley Fool Stock Advisor analyst team just identified what they believe are the 10 best stocks for investors to buy now… and S&P 500 Index wasn’t one of them. The 10 stocks that made the cut could produce monster returns in the coming years.

Consider when Netflix made this list on December 17, 2004… if you invested $1,000 at the time of our recommendation, you’d have $509,039!* Or when Nvidia made this list on April 15, 2005… if you invested $1,000 at the time of our recommendation, you’d have $1,109,506!*

Now, it’s worth noting Stock Advisor’s total average return is 972% — a market-crushing outperformance compared to 193% for the S&P 500. Don’t miss the latest top 10 list, available with Stock Advisor, and join an investing community built by individual investors for individual investors.

See the 10 stocks »

*Stock Advisor returns as of December 20, 2025.

Katie Brockman has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.

Search

RECENT PRESS RELEASES