Warren Buffett Said 'Be Fearful When Others Are Greedy, And Greedy When Others Are Fearful:' Does The Billionaire Investor's Advice Hold Today As Markets Near The 'Extreme Fear' Zone?

As US markets call curtains on the fourth consecutive week of chaos and turmoil, market participants are increasingly turning fearful. 

CNN's Fear and Greed Index, a well-regarded barometer to gauge market sentiments, is now mere inches away from the ‘Extreme Fear' zone, with a score of 28, down from ‘Greed' or a score of 68 during the same period last year.

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At times like these, we can always fall back on the time-tested wisdom of Warren Buffett, whose famous quote ‘Be fearful when others are greedy, and greedy when others are fearful' has helped Berkshire Hathaway BRK BRK generate market-beating returns for decades.

So, now that the markets are firmly in ‘Fear' territory, is this the right time for bulls to shift gears and emerge from their slumber?

Taking a leaf from the Oracle of Omaha himself, Berkshire's cash reserves continue to swell, reaching $325 billion in its most recent quarterly filings. The company also sold stock worth over $140 billion in 2024, reinvesting just $9 billion.

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So, the short answer is no, Buffett does not believe the markets are bottomed out or that current valuations warrant any investment.

Several leading analysts have also expressed similar concerns and remain cautiously optimistic when it comes to near-term market performance. Albert Edwards of Société Générale acknowledges the potential for a short-term market rally, before adding that ‘any rebound might be temporary amidst broader market concerns.'

Buffett's approach is to find quality stocks and take advantage of the fear, panic, and mispricings that often accompany such periods for outsized returns. When you ignore the upcoming quarter, even the following year, and focus on the next decade, all this volatility will get ironed out. 

However, most seasoned traders and investors would suggest that you wait until the dust settles and the market finds its true bottom. That's how Buffet would do it!

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