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If you have turned on the TV over the last month, I’m sure you have heard all about the coronavirus. The virus is impacting lives all across the world, and financial markets haven’t been spared either. Market volatility is very high, and stock prices have shifted downward. However, if you have excess cash above your cash reserves that could be used for retirement or other general long-term investing, this could be a good time to invest for your long-term goals.

Investors and economists have been squarely focused on the spread of the new coronavirus, officially referred to as COVID-19, and its impact on the global economy. Government efforts to contain the spread of the virus have already impacted economic activity in China and other parts of the world, creating significant economic uncertainty. This has resulted in a stock market pullback over the past two weeks that some have referred to as the "coronavirus correction" and "virus volatility." While much ink has already been spilled on the topic, investors naturally still have many questions about what lies ahead from a long-term perspective.

Global stocks have been in the red this year due to fears of the spreading coronavirus and geopolitical instability. The Chinese stock market, at the epicenter of the public health crisis, and emerging markets more broadly, have taken the brunt of the hit. At the same time, U.S. and developed market stocks have swung in both directions on a day-to-day basis. Given this heightened sense of fear from some investors, staying calm and internationally diversified is as important as ever.

The stock market has performed well not only over the past year, but since the beginning of 2017. Over this three-year period, the S&P 500 has risen by over 45%. Investors who were able to stay invested through the volatility of late 2018 and during turbulent periods of 2019 have been rewarded.

Stock markets are riding high as we approach the end of 2019. The S&P 500 has returned nearly 30% with dividends, the MSCI EAFE index of developed markets is up over 21%, and the MSCI Emerging Markets index has gained about 15%. What's more, the largest pullback in the S&P 500 this year was only 7%. There are three key reasons for this outsized performance, and one important takeaway for investors as we enter 2020.

With the next presidential election less than a year away, many investors are bound to be concerned by the impact of politics on the stock market and economy. After all, the past three years have been politically turbulent to say the least. Even as we write this, Washington is in the midst of an impeachment hearing. On a short-term basis, headlines and tweets have the power to move markets and create stock market volatility. How should investors react to what may be a bitter presidential campaign?

After over a decade of steady growth, it's not unusual for the economy to be slowing. Throw in a mix of global issues such as trade wars and central bank activity, and it's no surprise that markets have been choppy over the past year. While there may continue to be market uncertainty, it's more important than ever for long-term investors to maintain perspective on how far both the economy and stock market have come since 2008.