Stocks are up big again in 2025, and it feels like everyone is talking about it. From headlines celebrating record highs to friends boasting about the next big winner, it is easy to wonder: Am I missing out?
That fear of missing out, or FOMO, is powerful. It can make even experienced investors feel like they need to act right now. But chasing what is already hot can do more harm than good. The truth is, it is not too late to participate in the rally. You just need to do it strategically, not emotionally.
At Babin Wealth Management, we help clients take part in market growth the smart way, balancing opportunity with discipline.
Why Investors Feel Left Behind
FOMO is nothing new. Every time the market climbs, investors start comparing themselves to others who seem to be winning bigger. Social media makes it worse, showing only the most dramatic success stories and leaving out the long-term context.
The problem is that emotional investing often leads to buying high and selling low. When the market feels unstoppable, people rush in. When volatility returns, they panic and sell. That pattern can slowly erode returns over time.
Instead of reacting to short-term excitement, successful investors pause and ask, How do I capture long-term growth while managing risk?
The Reality Behind Market Returns
Here is an important fact: over the past 90 years, only about 4 percent of companies generated the market’s total net gains. The other 96 percent added little or nothing to overall returns.
That means almost all of the market’s long-term growth comes from a small number of standout performers, and nobody knows in advance which ones they will be. Chasing the latest “must-buy” stock is like betting on a horse after the race has already started.
The lesson is simple. Broad exposure through diversified portfolios or index funds gives you a much better chance of owning the winners of tomorrow without having to predict them.
How to Participate Without Overreaching
If you already own a diversified portfolio, or even something as simple as an S&P 500 index fund, you are part of the rally. The top-performing companies that make the headlines are already in that mix.
The key is not trying to time the market or pick individual winners but making sure your portfolio is built to participate in long-term growth.
Here are a few ways to stay involved wisely:
- Stay invested. The biggest gains often happen during short bursts of market strength. Missing just a handful of strong days can significantly lower long-term returns.
- Revisit your allocation. If your portfolio feels too conservative, you might not be capturing enough growth. An advisor can help you adjust exposure without adding unnecessary risk.
- Rebalance regularly. Markets move, and so should your portfolio weights. Rebalancing helps lock in gains and maintain your preferred level of risk.
- Keep cash purposeful. It is fine to have reserves for flexibility or opportunities, but letting too much sit idle can mean missing out on compounding growth.
At Babin Wealth Management, we help clients strike that balance by staying engaged in market rallies while keeping long-term goals at the center of the plan.
Turning FOMO Into a Smart Strategy
FOMO can actually be helpful when it pushes you to review your plan and make sure you are positioned for growth. The difference between reacting and planning is what separates emotional investors from successful ones.
Instead of rushing into the latest stock or trend, focus on creating a strategy that keeps you invested through every phase of the market cycle. That is how real wealth is built.
The Bottom Line
You do not need to chase the market to benefit from it. You just need a clear plan and the discipline to stay the course.
At Babin Wealth Management, we help investors participate in market growth confidently, without taking unnecessary risks.
If the recent rally has you wondering whether you are positioned to benefit, schedule a consultation at babinwealth.com