As the Dow nears 40,000, here’s what experts say you should do to prepare for a potential pullback

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A man sits on the Wall street bull near the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) on November 24, 2020 in New York City.

Spencer Platt | Getty Images

The stock market could hit a milestone if the Dow Jones Industrial Average reaches 40,000.

However, even as stocks have climbed higher, investors are worried there could be a pullback, financial advisors say.

They’re not alone in those concerns.

A recent CNBC survey of investment professionals found 61% think the market has run too far too fast and a market drop could be coming.

“It does feel like we’re at an inflection point where things could go either way,” said Christine Benz, director of personal finance and retirement planning at Morningstar.

Will there be a pullback?

Expect a short-term pullback after S&P 500's strong quarter: Evans May Wealth managing partner

Will the election hurt the markets?

Investors are jittery that the presidential election results may throw the markets off track, surveys show.

But experts say those worries are misguided.

“It is really very hard to find any evidence in the data that politics is a long-term determinant of market performance,” Kourkafas said.

However, there may be increased volatility in the months preceding the election, he said.

What’s unique this time around is we are already familiar with both of the likely candidates — current President Joe Biden and former President Donald Trump — and the markets have performed equally well under both leaders, he said.

Instead, the outlook may depend more on other factors such as interest rates, corporate earnings and economic growth, he said.

Financial advisors including Louis Barajas, a CFP and enrolled agent, said their clients are concerned the election may affect their portfolios.

“I tell them, ‘Listen, presidents come, presidents go, the economy’s going to change. But in the long term, the market tends to be up,'” said Barajas, who is CEO of International Private Wealth Advisors in Irvine, California, and also a member of the CNBC FA Council.

Barajas said he steers his clients to focus on their personal goals rather than on outside events.

How to make sure you’re protected ‘no matter what happens’

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