Recent volatility in the S&P 500 has led many investors to question whether the market is weakening. A closer look tells a different story. This one-month view of SPY highlights a coiling market, where price is consolidating after strength and volatility is compressing near recent highs. Understanding what this type of market behavior signals can help long-term investors stay disciplined, avoid emotional decisions, and remain aligned with their broader investment strategy.

The longest government shutdown in U.S. history and a broad market pullback have shaken investor confidence, but both are temporary. As defensive sectors lead and AI stocks sell off, long-term investors are being handed a rare opportunity. Smaller innovators like Rigetti, SoundHound, and Palantir are down sharply from their highs—yet the AI story is far from over.