If you wait for the stock market to bottom, you'll miss out on absolute bargains, like 'one of the cheapest stocks on the ASX.'

As the stock market grinds lower, the opportunity to buy shares on the cheap increases.

A baby reaches into the bottom drawer of a chest of drawers.

Image source: Getty Images

You’re reading a free article with opinions that may differ from The Motley Fool’s Premium Investing Services. Become a Motley Fool member today to get instant access to our top analyst recommendations, in-depth research, investing resources, and more. Learn More

1) Overnight, the selling in US stocks continued after the Bank of England Governor Andrew Bailey warned fund managers they had until the end of this week to unload bond positions they can't maintain. 

"My message to the funds involved and all the firms is you've got three days left now," Bailey said at the Institute of International Finance annual meeting in Washington on Tuesday. "You've got to get this done."

This is one of those "cracks" JPMorgan chief Jamie Dimon talked about yesterday, saying the stock market could fall another 20% lower from here.

The slow grind down in stocks continues, as does the slow grind up in bond yields. As usual, tech stocks bore the brunt of the selling, with the NASDAQ-100 Index (NASDAQ: NDX) falling more than 1%.

Year to date, the Nasdaq 100 index is now down almost 35%. The aggregate bond index – usually seen as a safe investment – is down around 14% so far in 2022, and on track for its worst year since 1931. Bonds prices move down when interest rates move higher.

2) It's a great time to have cash, just about the only asset class that hasn't gone down in this brutal year of investing. As an added bonus, you can now finally earn a return on your cash, albeit only around 2.5%, and less than inflation

So, with so much uncertainty around, and creditable calls from the likes of Jamie Dimon about more pain to come, why not sell up everything and go to cash?

According to JPMorgan Asset Management, if you had invested $10,000 and missed the 10 best days from 2002 to 2021, your gains would have been cut by more than half. If you had missed 30 days, you would have missed out on more than 80% of potential gains.

Last Tuesday – when the RBA raised the cash rate by 'only' 25 basis points and the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) soared 3.75% higher – may not have been one of those "10 best days," but it's certainly a day you don't want to miss.

"Best days" usually happen in times of heightened volatility. One of those "best days" may signal the end of the bear market. We just don't know when that will be. In the meantime, while we wait, we keep our eyes on the horizon, looking three to five years hence.

3) Speaking of volatility, this bear market is nothing like the GFC or the COVID crash.

The volatility index, commonly known as the VIX, is currently trading at 33. That's above its long-term average of around 20, but way off the 80 level it hit in November 2008, and its record ever high of 82 in March 2020.

Harking back to the GFC – easily the most painful period of my investing life – although the VIX peaked in November 2008, the market didn't bottom until March 2009. 

I vividly remember one "10 best days" in October 2008 when the Dow Jones Industrial Average Index (DJX: .DJI) soared an astonishing 11%, at the time, its best percentage gain since 1933. 

On that one day, the Morgan Stanley (NYSE: MS) share price soared a quite unbelievable 87% higher… again, I repeat, in just one day. 

Like then, there's no way of ever picking the bottom of the market. More likely is you'll be fully invested way before the market hits its nadir. When that happens, all you can do is trade in and out of current portfolio positions – out of one cheap stock and into one that's even cheaper – or sit and wait for the market to eventually bottom, then turn higher. 

4) This "inflation shock" stock market crash feels like the dot-com bust. Volatility was elevated – like now – but didn't spike much above 40. It was just a slow, painful grind lower – like now.

It will only be in hindsight that we know the market has bottomed. In the meantime, a strategy slowly and steadily deploying any cash you have into the market – either through a passive ETF like the Vanguard Australian Shares Index Fund (ASX: VAS) or individual companies – should serve you well, over time.

Yesterday, a limit order I had previously placed was triggered, and I bought shares in a microcap stock with these qualities…

  1. Its share price is down over 80% in the past 12 months;
  2. On a daily basis, is buying back its own shares;
  3. Cash makes up almost 60% of its market capitalisation;
  4. No debt;
  5. Trades on 4 times EBITDA;
  6. FY22 revenue grew almost 70%.

It looks to be one of the cheapest stocks trading on the ASX… although it undoubtedly has some company.

I'm already in the red, such is the nature of this brutal bear market, especially in small and micro industrial (non-mining and energy) stocks. But, I reckon the odds are in my favour, over time. 

Wondering where you should invest $1,000 right now?

When investing expert Scott Phillips has a stock tip, it can pay to listen. After all, the flagship Motley Fool Share Advisor newsletter he has run for over ten years has provided thousands of paying members with stock picks that have doubled, tripled or even more.*

Scott just revealed what he believes could be the 'five best ASX stocks' for investors to buy right now. We believe these stocks are trading at attractive prices and Scott thinks they could be great buys right now...

See The 5 Stocks *Returns as of 30 April 2025

Motley Fool contributor Bruce Jackson has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool Australia's parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool Australia has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.

More on Share Market News

A young man pointing up looking amazed, indicating a surging share price movement for an ASX company
Broker Notes

3 amazing ASX 200 shares to buy and hold forever

Brokers think these shares are in the buy zone. Let's see why they could be top buy and hold picks.

Read more »

iPhone with the logo and the word Google spelt multiple times in the background.
Opinions

I've been buying these 2 US stocks in 2025. Here's why

Sometimes the US markets are a better place to go shopping for stocks.

Read more »

Ecstatic woman looking at her phone outside with her fist pumped.
Share Gainers

Why Catapult, Hutchinson, SKS, and West African shares are pushing higher today

These shares are having a strong session despite the market weakness.

Read more »

A man sits in despair at his computer with his hands either side of his head, staring into the screen with a pained and anguished look on his face, in a home office setting.
Share Fallers

Why Dexus, Mayne Pharma, Nufarm, and Treasury Wine shares are falling today

These shares are having a tough session on Thursday. But why?

Read more »

A woman sits at her computer with her chin resting on her hand as she contemplates her next potential investment.
Mergers & Acquisitions

IAG share price lifts off on strategic alliance approval

IAG shares are racing higher in Thursday’s sinking market.

Read more »

Rising gold share price represented by a green arrow on piles of gold block.
Gold

Up 72% in 2025, why is this ASX 200 gold stock racing ahead of the benchmark again today?

Investors are bidding up this high-flying ASX 200 gold stock again on Thursday. But why?

Read more »

A woman wearing a black and white striped t-shirt looks to the sky with her hand to her chin contemplating buying ASX shares today as the market rebounds
Share Market News

Where could the RBA interest rate go in the next 12 months?

Here’s what one expert thinks could happen with interest rates by early 2026.

Read more »

A man holds his head in his hands after seeing bad news on his laptop screen.
Share Market News

5 things to watch on the ASX 200 on Thursday

It looks set to be a tough session for Aussie investors today.

Read more »