Despite the headlines ... it has always been a good time to invest for the long term
What this chart shows:
This chart shows a list of worrisome events by calendar year, along with the cumulative returns of the S&P 500 index from January 1st of each year through the end of 2025.
Why it matters:
It always feels like there are compelling reasons not to invest. The table lists a sampling of the worrying headlines over the past two-plus decades.
Bad news may make short-term waves, but over time, those waves tend to smooth out and not disturb the long-term trajectory of markets. Investors who successfully tune out the noise and remain invested have historically been rewarded.
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1Cumulative total returns for S&P 500 Index are calculated from January 1st of each year to December 31, 2025, sourced from Morningstar. Worrisome events sourced from J.P. Morgan Private Bank from 2000 – 2021, Lincoln Financial for 2022 – 2025. You cannot invest directly in an index. Past performance does not guarantee or predict future performance.