As measured by Vanguard's Total Stock Market Index ETF, the U.S .stock market currently sits around 19.4% below its recent highs. That's still in the neighborhood of a bear market, and there are plenty of reasons to remain nervous. In particular, with the Federal Reserve making it clear it won't stop raising interest rates until inflation is under control, the downward pressure on stocks may very well continue.

That raises a key question: Is it safe to invest in the stock market right now? Well, the direct answer to that question is no. Of course, it is never safe to invest in the stock market. Your money is always at risk in the market. As a result, a better question to ask is whether the falling market has opened up opportunities where the potential rewards are worth the risks you're taking. Through that lens, there just might be a path to where it might make sense to consider investing again.

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Source Fool.com