The Dow Jones Industrial Average dropped 725 points on Dec. 4, 2018, leaving investors wondering if a stock market crash in 2019 is imminent.
We are currently in the longest bull run in U.S. history, but all good things must come to an end.
That doesn't mean we're going to see a stock market crash or recession next year, but investors need to start preparing for the worst so their retirement accounts and investments aren't completely wiped out.
Today, we're going to look ahead to three specific events that could lead to a stock market crash in 2019...
Will the Stock Market Crash Because of Trade Wars?
The International Monetary Fund projects tariffs could cut global growth by 0.5% by 2020.
Already, Ford Motor Co. (NYSE: F) and General Motors Co. (NYSE: GM) were forced to lower profit forecasts for 2019 because of higher steel and aluminum prices caused by new U.S. tariffs.
YOU KNOW IT IN YOUR GUT: Look at how things are going. Financial turmoil is coming just around the corner, maybe just a few months away. Click here...
Walmart Inc. (NYSE: WMT) and Coca-Cola Co. (NYSE: KO) also warned that they may be forced to raise their prices.
There is a 90-day halt on the trade war between the United States and China right now, but if it continues, it could slow global growth and lead to a recession.
However, this next event has already shown that if you aren't prepared, you could be devastated...
Will the Stock Market Crash After Brexit?
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Chaos reigned when the United Kingdom voted to leave the European Union (Brexit) on June 23, 2016.
The pound crashed to a 31-year low, the Dow Jones Industrial Average dropped from 17,946.63 on June 24 to 17,190.51 on June 28, and banking stocks like The Royal Bank of Scotland Group Plc. (NYSE: RBS) plummeted 22% in a day because of the uncertainty Brexit created.
Now, the United Kingdom is negotiating the specifics of a deal to formally leave the EU, and uncertainty is ratcheting up again.
Prime Minister Theresa May has a deal in hand, but Parliament may vote to tear it up. It's even possible May will be removed if a snap-election or another referendum on leaving the EU is held.
No one knows the long-term outcome of how this move will affect the global economy.
But we've seen an early preview of the devastation it could cause.
"Brexit Day" is currently scheduled for March 29, 2019.
Will the Stock Market Crash Because of Rising Interest Rates?
Rising interest rates make it more expensive to borrow money, and the Fed is expected to raise rates up to two times in 2019.
That means we could see fewer new home and auto sales.
Since 2010, car sales have grown by an average of 5% per year. In 2018, they are expected to slow 1.8% from 2017 to 2018. In September 2018, new home sales dropped 5.5% to a near two-year low.
There are also four major ways rising interest rates hurt the stock market.
You can access our full report about it right here.
This is all troubling.
But fortunately, you don't have to stick your head in the sand and hope for the best.
However, you have to act NOW to protect yourself and your family...
Your Financial Future Is at Stake (Are You Prepared?)
If you're like most Americans, you've felt a sense of market turmoil ahead. We could be in for another white-knuckle ride... a "Great Reckoning," if you will.
The vast majority of folks don't see this coming, and those few who do are not preparing properly... nor profitably.
So ask yourself, right now: Are you where you want to be financially?
If the answer is yes, that's great.
If the answer is no, then understand that you are not alone - and you need to click here now...