News and Stories

Investing in troubled times

Written by Lifetime Retirement Income Team | 13 April 2026

Market uncertainty can be unsettling, especially when you are relying on your savings to support your lifestyle. Headlines about volatility, inflation or global events can make it difficult to know whether to stay the course or make changes. In “Investing in troubled times,” Lifetime Retirement Income explains how investors can approach uncertain markets with greater clarity and confidence.

The article explores why periods of instability are a normal part of investing, and how reacting emotionally can sometimes do more harm than good. Instead, it highlights the importance of having a clear strategy, understanding your risk, and focusing on long-term outcomes rather than short-term noise.

You can read the original article here: Investing in troubled times.  

Or you can read the article published in full below and tell us what you think in the comments section.

 

Investing in troubled times

There is considerable unrest around the world at present, with escalating wars in the Middle East, a looming oil crisis, and the potential for higher inflation driven by rapidly rising prices for oil and those goods using oil in their manufacture.

We are in troubled times. Such events cause nervousness in investment markets, and we have seen share prices drop as a result. It is a testing time for people who worry about volatility. 

 

Should we be concerned?

The best place to look for an answer is in the pages of history. Over the last few decades, there have been many wars that have impacted investment markets. 

World War I had a devastating effect on the share market. Stock markets across Europe, including the UK, closed for several months, and cautious investors cashed up, putting their funds in the bank and in gold. However, the war stimulated production in war-related industries, and many countries emerged from the war with their economies in good shape. 

There was a similar pattern in World War II. Industrial production boosted corporate earnings, and after an initial sharp drop at the start of the war, markets rose strongly. Investors who stayed the course were well rewarded with the post-war boom.

And there are numerous other examples – the Korean War, the Yom Kippur War, the Gulf War, the 11 September 2001 terrorist attack, the Iraq War, and so on. War is pretty much a fact of life, and it’s unlikely we will have a future without it in our lifetimes. 

 

War and investment markets

The impact of wars on investment markets seems to follow a consistent pattern.

The initial response is a market decline due to uncertainty about the future. Markets generally recover while the war is still on, with some sectors of the economy benefiting from the conflict. Despite the negatives, the long-term market trends are still positive. Wars come and go, and share markets continue over the long term to track upward, often reaching new highs once the crisis is over.

History has shown that in times of volatility, the best strategy is to stick with your long-term goals and focus on long-term returns rather than short-term changes.

Successful investment requires a high degree of emotional detachment and an objective approach to decision-making. News headlines are designed to create an emotional response, which can lead to poor investment decisions. Panic selling causes unnecessary investment losses. The worst time to sell investments is when the market has dropped.

The basic principles of successful investing

It’s an interesting aspect of human psychology that when it comes to buying groceries or household goods, we see price drops as an opportunity to pick up bargains, whereas when investment prices fall, our natural inclination is to want to sell to reduce anxiety. At times like this, it’s important to remember the basic principles of successful investing: 

  •  Always keep cash or other highly liquid investments on hand to cover your short-term spending needs so that you can ride out market volatility without having to sell at the wrong time. 

  •  Stay diversified. It’s more important than ever in volatile times not to have too many eggs in one investment basket. Diversification spreads your risk.

  • Invest according to your investment time frame. Funds you don’t need for ten years or more should stay invested in growth assets such as shares and property. It’s almost impossible to pick the highs and lows of the market. Attempting to time the market by selling at the peak and buying at the low point invariably results in lower returns than staying invested.

  •  Take advantage of volatility to use ‘dollar cost averaging’ to invest. Rather than investing a large sum at one point in time at the price on the day, invest small amounts on a regular basis at different prices. This approach reduces your investment risk by averaging the price you pay.

  •  Stick to quality investments that will withstand unfavourable economic conditions. 

Following these basic principles should ensure you achieve the best possible investment outcomes given your particular circumstances. It’s always helpful to talk to a professional adviser to ensure that your investment strategy is appropriate for your goals and the state of the economy. 

 

Final thoughts from us


At HealthCarePlus, we understand that financial uncertainty can feel challenging, particularly in retirement when stability matters most. But difficult markets do not necessarily mean poor outcomes, especially when decisions are guided by a clear plan.

Taking time to review your approach, seek advice if needed, and stay focused on your long-term goals can help you navigate periods of change with greater confidence. Because living well is not about avoiding uncertainty, it is about being prepared to manage it.

 

 

 

 

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