Discussions about investing often overlook the obvious fact that stocks are businesses. Although we invest in mutual funds and ETFs (baskets of stocks), individual stocks can help illustrate the long-term case for investing and why, in part, the market is down.

"Anyone who isn't confused doesn't really understand the situation." -Edward R. Murrow

The best (though understandably frustrating) explanation for the present volatility is that stock markets are doing what they often do in the short-term: fluctuate unpredictably.