Investing – 5 Things You Can Do When Markets Are At All Time High
I woke up at 6am on 28 October, and immediately reached for my phone by the bedside. The US market had closed, with the three major indices (Dow Jones, S&P 500, and NASDAQ) closing at yet another all-time high.
The adrenaline kicked in, and I thought about my clients’ and my investment portfolios. Aside from the US, Asian markets such as Japan (the Nikkei crossed 50,000 for the first time ever) and Hong Kong (the Hang Sang Index is up 34% Year-to-Date) are also doing exceedingly well. Many of the equity funds my clients are investing in are performing well. Time to get out of bed for my coffee!
It’s certainly an exciting time — but also one that can stir a quiet sense of unease. Many investors are asking, “Should I take some profit now?” or “What if this is the peak?”
We have seen the last 20 years punctuated with major corrections in financial markets. There’s the Global Financial Crisis, precipitated by the collapse of the US housing bubble, subprime mortgage crisis, and the Lehman Brothers bankruptcy. The S&P 500 fell about 57% during the period October 2007 – March 2009. In mid 2015 – early 2016, the Shanghai Composite lost about 45% of its value, triggered by an overvaluation in A-shares, and a margin-debt unwind. And in the last 5 years, we had the COVID-19 pandemic crash (February 2020 – March 2020), and the inflation and interest rate shock in 2022. Again, equity markets went into a tailspin, falling by more than 20%. So, with the possibility of another major correction in mind, what is the right option?
There’s no single “right” answer. Every option carries its own trade-offs. The key is to make a thoughtful, values-based decision rather than one driven by emotion or headlines. I have been engaging in discussions with my clients on their portfolio in recent weeks, but the proposed moves to the current situation vary, given my clients have different risk profile, time horizon, and investment objectives.
Here are five possible moves to consider — and what each might mean for you.
Conclusion:
When markets soar, the temptation to “do something” is strong. But wise investing isn’t about reacting to headlines — it’s about responding thoughtfully, with perspective and purpose.
The right move depends on your goals, time horizon, and comfort with risk. Whether you choose to rebalance, take profits, or simply stay the course, what matters most is that your decision aligns with your broader financial plan.
If you’re unsure which approach fits your situation best, this is a good moment to review your strategy with a trusted advisor — before emotions take the lead. At GEN Financial Advisory, we meet representatives from different fund houses every month, get insights from them, and ask them the tough questions – so we can use that knowledge in the best interests of our clients.
This is especially key at this moment, when markets have hit dizzying heights and it is question of when, rather than if, markets will fall. We will evaluate the right move for you in view of your holistic financial planning. I have personally invested in unit trusts in the last 20+ years, and with the right investment knowledge and financial planning skills, am in the right position to advise you!
Article by Leon Loh
Email: leon.loh@gen.com.sg
Article written in October 2025
The writer is a financial consultant representing GEN Financial Advisory Pte Ltd
