5 Tips to Prepare for a Stock Market Crash 2.0

Here are some tips to prepare for the next market crash before it’s too late!

Happy couple being attended by office worker at office

Image source: Getty Images

You’re reading a free article with opinions that may differ from The Motley Fool’s premium investing services. Become a Motley Fool member today to get instant access to our top analyst recommendations, in-depth research, investing resources, and more. Learn moresdf

The stock market crash in March was an incredible opportunity to buy the dip in wonderful companies. The stock market has since recovered, but the macro environment isn’t that healthy. The pandemic is affecting many industries and businesses. What will happen when government subsidies or benefits roll off?

As a result of earnings depressed by pandemic impacts, many stocks are trading at high valuations.

So, it’s not out of the question that we’ll experience another stock market crash.

Here are five tips to prepare for a stock market crash.

Keep cash handy

To ensure you have the dry powder to take advantage of the next stock market crash, hold a higher percentage of cash or cash equivalents. For example, consider putting some of your cash in short-term GICs to earn bigger interest income than savings accounts.

Maintain multiple income sources

Generating excess income will allow you to have cash to invest any time and in a market crash. For example, some investors work but also generate income from dividend stocks, rental properties, side gigs, or other income-generating assets.

By having multiple income sources, you can ensure cash will keep flowing in to replenish your cash position.

Hold some low-volatility stocks

Low-volatility stocks tend to be more resilient and outperform in a market crash. Some even pay you to be a shareholder by churning out safe, periodic dividends, including Fortis stock, which is a perfect source of income generation. Currently, Fortis stock is reasonably valued and provides a yield of 3.65%.

Other low volatility stocks that pay nice dividends that you can consider right now are TC Energy for a 5.41% yield and NorthWest Healthcare Properties REIT for a 6.87% yield.

Own quality stocks

Quality stocks are driven by wonderful businesses. By aiming to own a portfolio of quality stocks with underlying wonderful businesses, you can ride through market crashes for long-term investments.

Stocks are volatile by nature. In the short term, they can go up or down unpredictably. By focusing on buying and owning wonderful businesses, you can ensure that your stock portfolio value will rise in the long run.

Most investors would agree that the stocks of Fortis, TD, and Open Text are driven by wonderful businesses.

Understand market behaviour

As Warren Buffett said, “Be fearful when others are greedy and greedy when others are fearful.” During a market crash, even quality stocks with underlying wonderful businesses can fall hard, as the market overshoots irrationally in the short run — just like what happened in the March market crash.

When others are fearful, it would be the time to pounce on incredible opportunities. Quality stocks will recover faster than others.

The Foolish takeaway

To prepare for market crash 2.0, have cash ready, keep generating income, hold low-volatility and quality stocks, and prepare your mind to not be swayed by the short-term gyrations of a market crash.

Also, make a list of the wonderful businesses you want to own and the price ranges that you find them to be attractive at before a market crash so that you can pounce on the opportunities with no emotion when the crash actually occurs.

This article represents the opinion of the writer, who may disagree with the “official” recommendation position of a Motley Fool premium service or advisor. We’re Motley! Questioning an investing thesis — even one of our own — helps us all think critically about investing and make decisions that help us become smarter, happier, and richer, so we sometimes publish articles that may not be in line with recommendations, rankings or other content.

Fool contributor Kay Ng owns shares of NORTHWEST HEALTHCARE PPTYS REIT UNITS, TC Energy, and The Toronto-Dominion Bank. The Motley Fool recommends FORTIS INC, NORTHWEST HEALTHCARE PPTYS REIT UNITS, Open Text, and OPEN TEXT CORP.

More on Dividend Stocks

growing plant shoots on stacked coins
Dividend Stocks

5 Dividend Stocks to Buy With Yields Upwards of 5%

These five companies all earn tonnes of cash flow, making them some of the best long-term dividend stocks you can…

Read more »

funds, money, nest egg
Dividend Stocks

TFSA Investors: 3 Stocks to Start Building an Influx of Passive Income

A TFSA is the ideal registered account for passive income, as it doesn't weigh down your tax bill, and any…

Read more »

A red umbrella stands higher than a crowd of black umbrellas.
Dividend Stocks

3 of the Safest Dividend Stocks in Canada

Royal Bank of Canada stock is one of the safest TSX dividend stocks to buy. So is CT REIT and…

Read more »

Growing plant shoots on coins
Dividend Stocks

1 of the Top Canadian Growth Stocks to Buy in February 2023

Many top Canadian growth stocks represent strong underlying businesses, healthy financials, and organic growth opportunities.

Read more »

stock research, analyze data
Dividend Stocks

Wherever the Market Goes, I’m Buying These 3 TSX Stocks

Here are three TSX stocks that could outperform irrespective of the market direction.

Read more »

woman data analyze
Dividend Stocks

1 Oversold Dividend Stock (Yielding 6.5%) to Buy This Month

Here's why SmartCentres REIT (TSX:SRU.UN) is one top dividend stock that long-term investors should consider in this current market.

Read more »

IMAGE OF A NOTEBOOK WITH TFSA WRITTEN ON IT
Dividend Stocks

Better TFSA Buy: Enbridge Stock or Bank of Nova Scotia

Enbridge and Bank of Nova Scotia offer high yields for TFSA investors seeking passive income. Is one stock now undervalued?

Read more »

Golden crown on a red velvet background
Dividend Stocks

2 Top Stocks Just Became Canadian Dividend Aristocrats

These two top Canadian Dividend Aristocrats stocks are reliable companies with impressive long-term growth potential.

Read more »