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Tip #11 - How to handle a share market downturn

by Tony Ryburn, Executive Chairman, Sharesight | Jul 23rd 2013

Every week we post a tip that we hope will help you become a successful share market investor.

Tip# 11 -- How to handle a share market downturn

If the share market crashes there are two important rules to follow. Rule 1. DON’T PANIC. Rule 2. If you do panic, refer to Rule 1.

You know in advance downturns will happen from time to time just as you know that in the long run shares are likely to give you the best return – see Tip #1.

If the share market takes a tumble you have made a paper loss; not a real one. Ask yourself if you know a better place (under the bed?) to put your money than in the share market – especially when it is at low point! As long as you don’t bail out you won’t crystallise a loss and you are guaranteed to participate 100% in the inevitable bounce back! See here for other points to ponder before you sell out of the share market.

This information is not a recommendation nor a statement of opinion. You should consult an independent financial adviser before making any decisions with respect to your shares in relation to the information that is presented in this article.

FURTHER READING

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Product updates - September 2026

by Ben Clendon | Sep 23rd 2026

See what’s up and what’s down at a glance with our new gains & losses toggle, and more product improvements. It’s all in Sharesight’s September update.

Top 20 stocks & ETFs traded by global Sharesight users (ex. AU & NZ) in August 2026. Top 5: NVIDIA (70.7% buy / 29.3% sell), Apple (82.5% buy), Space Exploration Technologies (70.4% buy), Microsoft (57.1% buy), Rocket Lab (83.6% buy).

August top trades: Apple ⬆️, Microsoft ⬇️ and Australians trade close to home 🇦🇺

by Jen Robson | Sep 16th 2026

Deep dive into the shares, stock and ETFs Sharesight’s investors bought and sold through August 2026, and stay up with the latest share trading trends.

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Sharesight product updates – August 2026

by Milly Brent | Aug 25th 2026

This month's focus was on support for the Taipei Stock Exchange, franking credit estimates for Australian ETFs and a range of report improvements