Last year was one of the worst for the S&P 500 index, which is considered the benchmark that best represents the state of the overall market. It is also the benchmark that is used by many exchange-traded funds (ETFs), like the first and largest ETF, the SPDR S&P 500 ETF (NYSEMKT: SPY).

The S&P 500 finished the year down 19.4%, which is just shy of bear market territory. But it did spend several weeks actually in bear market territory, down as much as 24% in October of last year. It was the worst year for the index since the market crash of 2008.

2023 has started out a little better for the S&P 500, with it notching a 7% gain as of Feb. 7. But is the worst over, and is it safe to invest in the index right now?

Continue reading

Source Fool.com