The S&P 500 has delivered more downs than ups in recent weeks, as a variety of uncertainties have weighed on investors’ minds — from questions about the artificial intelligence (AI) growth opportunity to the war in Iran.

This is a complete turnaround from the market situation that’s reigned over the past three years. During that time, investors piled into AI stocks, excited about growth prospects, and the optimism spread to other growth stocks — this helped the S&P 500 soar to multiple record highs and deliver a total gain of more than 78% over the past three calendar years.

As the market roared higher, it may have seemed much more tempting to invest than it does right now. But, even though this may sound strange, it actually is a better idea to get in on the market when times are tough than when stocks are on the rise. Here’s why buying the market dip right now could be the best financial decision of 2026.

Uncertainties weigh on stocks

So, as mentioned, the S&P 500 has been quite volatile in recent times as investors grapple with various uncertainties. When will the war in Iran end? Will the growth of AI down the road support the high spending levels we’ve seen recently? We don’t know the exact answers to those questions. But we do know that times of geopolitical turmoil generally result in resolution. And as for AI, so far the information we have shows that demand for the technology is high — and it’s delivering results for those who use it.

S&P 500 Index

Today’s Change

(-1.67%) $-108.31

Current Price

$6368.85

Problems of various sizes come and go over time, and history shows us something very important: The market may move with these issues, but even in the worst of situations, such as a market crash, the S&P 500 has always bounced back and delivered a win to investors over time.

^SPX data by YCharts

Buying stocks on sale

This means that stock prices, which might be down today, won’t stay this way forever. And this is exactly why it’s a smart idea to buy stocks now rather than wait for them to climb. I like to compare the situation to shopping — it’s always better to pick up an item on sale than when it’s at full price.

Of course, when you’re bargain hunting during market declines, it’s important to examine the quality of a stock. Certain companies with financial troubles, poor business models, or a lack of a competitive advantage, just to name a few examples, may not recover.

But solid companies with a track record of growth and strong prospects well into the future are well-positioned to recover from tough times. And if you buy these players now, you could see explosive gains over the long run. That’s why buying the market dip right now could be your best financial decision of the year.