Geopolitical Tension & Markets

Over the past several weeks we’ve all watched the uncertainty and rising conflict in Iran. Moments like this often create anxiety for investors, and I want to take a moment to speak to that.

Geopolitical tension can shake markets in the short term, but it’s important to remember that conflict-driven volatility is not new. While these events can feel overwhelming, they do not change the long-term principles that guide successful investing, nor do they alter the historical resilience of the markets.

If someone had told us on New Year’s Day 2020 what the next six years would hold (a global pandemic, inflation soaring above 9%, multiple international conflicts, and the highest U.S. tariffs in decades), most people would have assumed the stock market was headed for disaster.

And yet the markets didn’t just survive. They advanced.

The chart below from Capital Group highlights something I emphasize often: short‑term crises are normal, but long‑term resilience is the real story.

Despite headline‑driven fear and several major shocks, the S&P 500 pushed through each challenge and ultimately reached new highs. If an investor had simply stayed the course from January 2020 through the end of 2025, ignoring the noise, sticking to their plan, and maintaining discipline, their investment in the S&P 500 would have grown by more than 128%. That’s the power of patience.

What this means for you:

• Markets climb a “wall of worry.” Unexpected events will always show up, but history continues to reward long‑term investors.
• The biggest risk is often not market volatility – it’s abandoning your plan during moments of uncertainty.
• Staying invested through difficult periods has historically been one of the most reliable ways to build wealth.

As always, my goal is to help you navigate both the noise and the opportunities with a framework grounded in long‑term principles.