# Beginner Investors' Stock Market Mistake

> Selling during market volatility could cost beginner investors thousands.
- Title: Beginner Investors' Stock Market Mistake · The Motley Fool
- Summary: Selling during market volatility could cost beginner investors thousands. Beginner investors often sell stocks during market volatility, risking thousands in…
- Keywords: stock market, beginner investors, volatility, s&p 500, selling, market recovery, finance, money, Beginner, Investors', Stock, Market
- Source: The Motley Fool — https://fool.com/investing/2026/10/21/the-no-1-thing-beginner-investors-get-wrong
- Author: Bram Berkowitz
- Published: 2026-10-21T21:43:00+00:00
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: stock market, beginner investors, volatility, s&p 500, selling, market recovery, finance, money
## Market Volatility Since Pandemic
The stock market has felt incredibly volatile since the pandemic, with periods of sudden drops and quick recoveries.
## Beginner Investors' Biggest Mistake
Selling during market volatility can cost beginner investors thousands of dollars.
## S&P 500 Volatility Study
Morningstar found the S&P 500 had 15% annualized volatility from January through April 10, matching 100-year averages.
## Why Volatility Costs Money
Reactive selling during short-term market swings often leads to losses because the market recovers quickly.
## Long-Term Market Performance
The S&P 500 has averaged 10% annual gains since 1957, showing long-term resilience despite short-term volatility.
## When to Sell During Volatility
Selling a stock after a fundamental change may be justified, but market-wide drops usually require patience.
## Key takeaway

Beginner investors often sell stocks during market volatility, risking thousands in losses.