Will the Stock Market Crash in 2026? History Shows This Is the Smartest Way to Prepare.

Despite some pressures from lingering inflation and shifting expectations around interest rates, the S&P 500 (SNPINDEX: ^GSPC) has nudged 9.6% higher so far this year, propelled by robust spending on artificial intelligence (AI) infrastructure and resilient earnings growth.

Amid this advance, the index's cyclically adjusted price-to-earnings (CAPE) ratio has reached its highest reading since the dot-com era. The CAPE ratio measures the S&P 500's valuation by dividing current prices by the average inflation-adjusted earnings over the past decade. It is important because elevated levels have historically forecast weaker future returns.

S&P 500 Shiller CAPE Ratio data by YCharts

With the ratio now at its highest level in over two decades, a rising CAPE ratio could indicate that prices are outpacing sustainable earnings growth. As such, this could foreshadow a correction or crash as the market adjusts to more reasonable valuations.

What is the best way to prepare for a stock market crash?

To prepare for a stock market crash, investors should reassess their portfolio's asset allocation and tilt it toward more resilient holdings. This means increasing exposure to bonds for income stability, along with defensive stocks in utilities, healthcare, and consumer staples, as these sectors tend to fare better during downturns.

Another thing investors can do is establish a dedicated cash reserve to navigate market turbulence. Building liquidity protects you from selling stocks during corrections and also gives you the ability to buy the dip in attractive investments when prices fall.

Image source: Getty Images.

Remember to keep a long-term mindset

Implementing safeguards like predetermined stop-loss orders is a smart way to limit your downside. By automatically triggering sales in certain positions, investors can easily transition their funds into higher-quality businesses.

Above all else, investors should maintain a long-term mindset. One of the best ways to do this is to use dollar-cost averaging across high-conviction blue-chip stocks. While a crash is not necessarily guaranteed this year, seasoned investors understand that corrections are a normal part of the investment cycle and often lead to better entry points overall.

Adam Spatacco has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.