Negative noise and worrying headlines may dominate the news, but investors can take reassurance in the proven resilience of global markets over the last century.
If you grew up in the 70s or 80s and remember the ‘Weebles’, the title here might sound familiar. These egg-shaped toys would roll around but always right themselves to standing thanks to a weighted base, hence the slogan: “Weebles wobble, but they don’t fall down”.
You could say the same about global investment markets over time. They can wobble easily, move around quite a bit and sometimes even fall over. But eventually they’ll find the right way up.
The graph below maps the growth of US$100 invested in global equities against major occurrences over the last 100 years. It shows how, time and time again, global markets are resilient in overcoming volatility, even after catastrophic events.
That original $100 in 1926 had a bumpy start, losing over half its value during the Great Depression. Since then, however, the overarching direction of travel has been up. Despite World War II and other major conflicts, the collapse of economies and large-scale disasters, the value of global equities has taken an upwards – albeit wobbly – path over time. It’s also overcome more recent events, including 9/11, the global financial crisis, Brexit, Covid, the invasion of Ukraine and Trump’s tariff roulette.
Nothing over the last century has stopped this upward trajectory over the long term. Today, that $100 would be worth almost a million. Let's face it, you wouldn’t come anywhere close to that with cash in the bank!
Source: Albion Strategic Consulting. Data: Albion World Equity Index (https://smartersuccess.net/indices). Period: Jul 1926 to Dec 2025.
Despite World War II and other major conflicts, the collapse of economies and large-scale disasters, the value of global equities has taken an upwards – albeit wobbly – path over time.
While we’re in no way suggesting that you squirrel your money away in the stock market for 100 years, this does make a good case for discipline and patience with your money. And it’s definitely worth remembering next time you read an alarming headline, for example, about an AI bubble or Trump’s effect on markets.
Sensible, long-term investors have the luxury of seeing past short-term, unpredictable market wobbles. They recognise the opportunities in riding out tough times, knowing that the best days often follow the worst. Meanwhile, those who try to ‘time’ the market by dipping in and out can lock in losses and miss out on recoveries.
At Goodmans, we have an evidence-based, global investment approach that diversifies greatly across companies, sectors and regions. By buying the whole market and staying invested, our clients are well placed to pick up returns, wherever they show up, while being cushioned from shocks in any one area.
There’s plenty of uncertainty as we bed into 2026 – but that’s hardly new. As ever, markets will go up, down and sideways, but there’s no need to fear the wobble if your foundations are sound. Once you have a suitable investment strategy for your goals and risk tolerance, the best course of action remains the same: stay invested, stay diversified and stay focused on long‑term goals rather than short‑term noise.
Most importantly, don’t forget to turn off the news once in a while and go out and play!
Contact us if you’d like to book a financial planning review or chat about your savings and investments.
This article is for information only and is not investment advice, a recommendation, or an offer to buy or sell any product. All information has been obtained from sources believed to be reliable but is not guaranteed. Past performance is not indicative of future results and no representation is made that the stated results will be replicated.