Over the last three decades, the world has experienced an ongoing series of crises — from terrorist attacks and financial meltdowns to pandemics, wars, and natural disasters. Each of these events sparked fear and uncertainty, causing investors to question whether markets could continue to grow.
And yet, they did.The striking chart illustrates this phenomenon clearly. It tracks major global events from 1994 to 2024, overlaying them against the steady rise of the MSCI World Index— a benchmark of global equity performance.
Here are some key takeaways:
- Despite events like the Dot-com Crash, 9/11, the Global Financial Crisis, the COVID-19 pandemic, and the Ukraine invasion, global markets have trended upward.
- £1 invested in the MSCI World Index in September 1994 grew to $5.69 by the end of August 2024.
- That translates to an average annual return of 6.0% — and 7.8% with dividends reinvested.
The Bigger Picture
This visual timeline is more than a chart; it’s a reminder that markets are incredibly resilient over time. While short-term volatility is inevitable, long-term growth has historically rewarded those who stay the course.
It’s easy to get caught up in fear during times of crisis — but history has shown that panic-selling is rarely the best move. Investors who maintain a long-term perspective and resist the urge to time the market often fare better than those who react impulsively to each headline.
Final Thoughts
The “Wall of Worry” is a compelling testament to one of the most important principles in investing: stay invested, stay disciplined, and think long term. The world may always seem like it’s on the brink — but markets have a remarkable way of climbing over the fear.
The value of investments and any income from them can fall as well as rise and you may not get back the original amount invested.
St Barts Finance Limited is an appointed representative of The Openwork Partnership, a trading style of Openwork Limited which is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority.
Written by Simon Noke, DipPFS
Approved by The Openwork Partnership on 28/07/2025.
Image Source – https://www.humansundermanagement.com/wallofworry