The market is down. Here’s what’s going on, and why your portfolio isn’t broken
You’re not imagining it. The markets are having a rough time, and if your Raiz balance has dipped recently, you’re not alone. But while it’s easy to feel like something has gone wrong with your portfolio, this is part of a much bigger picture. What we’re seeing now is a broad downturn across both local and global markets, not just a Raiz-specific issue.
Let’s unpack what’s been happening and what it means for you as an investor.
A string of shocks
The Australian share market has taken a sharp turn, with the ASX 200 recently posting its worst daily performance since early 2020. More than $59 billion was wiped off the value of listed companies in just one trading session, driven by a mix of global uncertainty and local economic data that’s shaken confidence in short-term growth.
In the US, the picture looks similarly shaky. After a red-hot run from major tech stocks like Nvidia and Tesla, investors are pulling back, worried that prices have risen too far, too fast. The S&P 500 and Nasdaq both dropped sharply, dragging down global sentiment – especially in sectors that had surged during the recent AI boom.
Cryptocurrencies have also been caught in the storm. Bitcoin and other digital assets have lost more than US$1 trillion in value over the past six weeks, with some analysts pointing to signs that the hype-driven growth of recent months may have outpaced fundamentals.
Back home, inflation data and strong wage growth have added a new layer of complexity. Hopes that the Reserve Bank of Australia might cut interest rates in early 2026 have dimmed. That’s made borrowing more expensive for businesses and households, and cooled enthusiasm for risky assets.
Altogether, these events have fed into a wave of selling; not just among big institutions, but everyday investors too. The mood has shifted from FOMO (fear of missing out) to caution, and markets are reflecting that.
It’s not just you, it’s the market
If you’re a Raiz customer, what you’re seeing in your portfolio is a reflection of how the broader market is performing. It doesn’t mean your investments are broken, or that something is wrong with the way your money is being managed.
Raiz portfolios are built with long-term investing in mind. They’re designed to ride through exactly this kind of turbulence, and they’re diversified across different asset classes so that no single shock can derail your strategy.
What should you do?
Periods like this can test your confidence, especially if you’re new to investing. But this is also when long-term thinking matters most.
You don’t need to react immediately. In fact, making decisions based on short-term noise can often lead to worse outcomes than simply staying the course. That’s because when you pull your money out during a downturn, you risk locking in losses and missing the recovery when it comes.
Instead, it can help to remember why you started investing. Whether your goal is building long-term wealth, reaching a specific target, or putting your money to work more effectively, those goals are rarely achieved in a straight line. Markets move in cycles. This is part of the journey.
Staying steady in shaky times
The best thing you can do right now? Keep perspective. While it’s tempting to react to every market headline, short-term volatility is normal. It’s baked into the process of long-term investing.
At Raiz, our focus remains the same: giving you simple tools to help grow your wealth over time (without the pressure to constantly guess what markets will do next).
So while things might feel uncertain right now, know this: the system isn’t broken. The market is adjusting, and your investment strategy was built to handle that.
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Important Information
This blog has been issued by Instreet Investment Limited (ACN 128 813 016 AFSL 434776) as Responsible Entity of the Raiz Invest Australia Fund (ARSN 607 533 022) and has been prepared without taking into account your objectives, financial situation or needs. Before acting on such information, you should conduct your own review or consult a financial advisor before making a decision to invest. Please read the relevant Product Disclosure Statement and any associated reference documents before making an investment decision. In accordance with the Design and Distributions Obligations, we maintain Target Market Determinations for our Funds. All documents can be found on the Raiz website www.raizinvest.com.au, or calling the Customer Support team on 1300 754 748. Please note that past performance is not a reliable indicator or guarantee of future performance. Historical returns, forecasts, and market commentary are provided for general informational purposes only. All investment carries risk and may result in loss of capital.
