4 Tips for Investing in This Bunny Market
Not a bear or a bull, today's market zigs and zags and can confuse us all.

In financial speak, the performance of the stock market can be described in animal terms—a bear market or a bull market.
The origin of this animal terminology is uncertain. One explanation goes back to 18th century England when the middlemen of bearskin sales were called bearskin jobbers, or bears for short. They would often sell the skins they didn't even have yet at speculative prices—and risk losses if the trappers decided to sell at higher-than-anticipated prices. The practice leant itself to a French proverb that translated to: "Don't sell the bear's skin before you've killed him." The term bear stuck for describing a down market. And bull was considered the opposite because bull-and-bear fights were popular at the time. So bull markets are when stocks are charging upwards.
What are we in now?

Sign up for Kiplinger’s Free E-Newsletters
Profit and prosper with the best of expert advice on investing, taxes, retirement, personal finance and more - straight to your e-mail.
Profit and prosper with the best of expert advice - straight to your e-mail.
I'd call it a bunny market.
Erase visions of Bugs Bunny or Roger Rabbit from your mind. A bunny market is a stock market that zigs and zags, but doesn't really go anywhere. And just because the market is only hopping along doesn't mean it's not a good time to invest.
Here are some tips for investing in this bunny market:
1. Take baby bunny steps.
If your current financial situation feels unsteady, I suggest starting small. Even modest investments of $100 or $200 can make a significant difference in building wealth. And the systematic investing of smaller amounts, or dollar-cost averaging, in a 401(k), Roth IRA or 529 plan can add up over the long term. It's always a good idea to take advantage of the time value of money and capture all the tax-deferred or tax-free growth you can.
You can apply this strategy to other parts of your overall financial picture, too. If you are thinking about purchasing a house, consider buying an item or accessory for your new house. For example, buy a clock and hang it up in your current home to remind you of good times to come.
2. Research before buying.
I want my clients to be informed prior to committing to a large purchase or investing in a business or product. If the business is established, look at the company's mission statement and financial reports online. Thorough research can help ease unnecessary financial stress.
3. Take your time and check your risk tolerance.
Back to bunny imagery, think about the tortoise and the hare. I always tell clients that it’s not prudent to rush into anything if you don’t feel comfortable. Could it be butterflies in your stomach, or maybe something is telling you that the investment is a bad idea? You can always turn down an investing opportunity. In the end, the only thing wasted is your time. Of course, your time is valuable, but the bottom line is you don't want to lose your money by making quick but bad decisions. Remember, slow and steady wins the race. You need to give yourself time to understand the why behind your investment decisions and confirm whether it aligns with your long-term financial plan.
4. Work with an adviser you trust.
The best advice is to invest in building a relationship with a CFP® professional who can help you develop a financial plan. Especially if something is bothering you about a decision, you can talk with your financial adviser and take comfort in having a knowledgeable expert help you stay on track while the market continues hopping all around.
Marguerita M. Cheng is the Chief Executive Officer at Blue Ocean Global Wealth. She is a CFP® professional, a Chartered Retirement Planning Counselor℠, Retirement Income Certified Professional and a Certified Divorce Financial Analyst. She helps educate the public, policymakers and media about the benefits of competent, ethical financial planning.
Profit and prosper with the best of Kiplinger's advice on investing, taxes, retirement, personal finance and much more. Delivered daily. Enter your email in the box and click Sign Me Up.

Marguerita M. Cheng is the Chief Executive Officer at Blue Ocean Global Wealth. She is a CFP® professional, a Chartered Retirement Planning Counselor℠ and a Retirement Income Certified Professional. She helps educate the public, policymakers and media about the benefits of competent, ethical financial planning.
-
What Tariffs Mean for Your Sector Exposure
New, higher and changing tariffs will ripple through the economy and into share prices for many quarters to come.
-
Five Things to Do if You're Forced Into Early Retirement (and How to Reset and Recover)
Developing a solid retirement plan — before a layoff — can help you to adapt to unexpected changes in your timeline. Once the initial panic eases, you can confidently reimagine what's next.
-
Five Ways to Adapt Your Charitable Giving Strategy in a Changing World: An Expert Guide
Economic uncertainty, global events and increasing wealth are shaping the charitable landscape this year. Here are the philanthropic trends and some tips that could help affluent donors optimize their impact.
-
I'm an Estate Planning Attorney: These Are the Two Legal Documents Everyone Should Have
Every adult should have a health care proxy and power of attorney — they save loved ones time, money and stress if a sudden illness or injury leaves you incapacitated.
-
I'm a Financial Professional: Here's My Investing Playbook for Political Uncertainty
For successful long-term investing in a politically charged environment, investors should focus on economic data, have a diversified portfolio and resist reacting to daily headlines.
-
The Truth About the Dark Side of Rooftop Solar Panels
Rampant bankruptcies in the solar panel industry have left many consumers with systems that don't work and no way to get them fixed. Worse, they're being hounded to keep paying despite not receiving what they were promised. What can they do?
-
Six Big Beautiful Opportunities: Advisers' Guide to Tax and Client Strategies
Here are several ways financial professionals can help their clients maximize opportunities in the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, which extends key TCJA provisions, introduces increased deductions for people 65 and older and more.
-
Five Ways to Maintain Charitable Giving During Volatile Times: A Giver's Guide
When the economic outlook is uncertain, charitable giving is even more important — and impactful. You can be strategic by using donor-advised funds, diversifying assets and prioritizing unrestricted gifts.