Is the Stock Market Overdue for a Big Plunge?

This week's market action has investors more nervous than ever about the prospects for a substantial drop in the near future. Yet if there's one thing about the stock market investors need to understand, it's that corrections are inevitable.

In the following video, Fool contributor Dan Caplinger takes a look back at the stock market to see whether we're overdue for a big plunge. As Dan notes, throughout the stock market's history, corrections tend to take place at fairly regular intervals, and while we haven't seen quite as many corrections as usual during the bull market of the past four years, what we have seen has been fairly consistent with historical trends. Dan closes with some guidance for investors to consider as they make plans for the future.

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The article Is the Stock Market Overdue for a Big Plunge? originally appeared on Fool.com.

Fool contributor Dan Caplinger and The Motley Fool have no position in any of the stocks mentioned. Try any of our Foolish newsletter services free for 30 days. We Fools don't all hold the same opinions, but we all believe that considering a diverse range of insights makes us better investors. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.

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