The first few weeks of 2016 were the worst start for the S&P 500 in history. So what should you do? The attached article serves as a reminder that negative returns in January (or any single month) are not meaningful because the subsequent 11-month returns have been positive 59% of the time, with an average return of 7%.

Accept the periods of negative volatility and remain disciplined. As the time period increases, the probability of realizing positive expected returns increases. Let patience lead to prosperity.

With 2015 behind us, here’s a chance to review some overall market performance alongside prominent headlines throughout the year. Click the image to view in greater detail.

As the year comes to a close, it’s fitting that we take a moment to reflect on recent market lessons. But, you know we’ll never focus on any one year, so let’s consider the four most recent decades from 1975 through 2015. This captures nearly all of the investing lives of our clients. Here’s a summary of data taken at the beginning of each of the 10-year time periods.

TAKEAWAYS