If you can't beat the market, you'd better hope it falls

If you can't beat the market, you'd better hope it falls - MarketWatch## Mark Hulbert# If you can't beat the market, you'd better hope it falls## Investment professionals rarely outperform in a bull market. If you want stock picking to pay off, you're essentially rooting for a crash.Published: Feb. 26, 2026 at 8:15 a.m. ETShareResizeWill this year bring a bear market? Photo: Getty Images/iStockInvestment advisers hoping for a return of a "stock-pickers market†should be careful what they wish for. I'm referr ...