Buffett says market downturns can be a buying opportunity for investors

Investors should expect bear markets rather than assume stocks will rise indefinitely, since declines of at least 20% have occurred roughly once every six years over the past 150 years, with a median drop of about 33%. The key lesson is to avoid panic-selling during downturns and recognize that sharp declines can create opportunities to buy financially sound businesses at discounted prices. Warren Buffett’s longstanding advice is to think like a business owner, prioritize companies with durable competitive advantages, strong management and healthy finances, and hold them for decades rather than trade frequently. His 2008 message that bad news can offer a chance to invest in America at lower prices has regained attention amid 2026 market volatility, though weaker and heavily indebted companies may still face serious risks. The broader approach is to remain disciplined, assess business fundamentals and maintain a long-term perspective through unpredictable market cycles.