 TITLE: Should You Invest During a Recession? CONTENT: Is It Smart to Invest During a Recession?\n-----------------------------------------\nIt can be smart to invest during a recession. But the ultimate answer to this question rests with how much money you can afford to lose, how comfortable you are navigating the investment world and how much risk you can stomach.\nIn a recession, the stock market is often volatile. Depending on a variety of factors, the market could crash at any moment. As the stock market plunges, so, too, may your investments—at least temporarily—but remember that you won't realize any actual losses unless you cash out.\nAt the same time, those recessionary pressures pushing down stock values could give you an opportunity to buy shares in a company at a rock-bottom price, eventually leading to a profit if the stock rebounds with the economy. In fact, your stock might gain more value over the long term if you buy it during a recession than during an economic boom.\nHowever, there's no guarantee a stock you buy during a recession will deliver a profit in the near future. It typically takes time for a stock to recover and regain the value that might have evaporated in an economic downturn. And, depending on which industries suffer most during a recession, the company you invested in may never recover and your investment could be wiped out.\nIf you decide that you can afford to sink some money into the stock market during a recession, it might be wise to visit with a financial advisor for some guidance. END