Perspective: Markets Throughout the Past 120 Years

As we think about what’s been happening in the world and economy recently, it’s easy to wonder where things are headed or if we are in unchartered territory. The media system seems to present endless scenarios about how bad things could get, what you need to “do,” etc. While things have been challenging, we will get through it.

The chart below shows some of the challenging events over the past 120 years or so. Please allow us to give some perspective.

Let’s say that we have Mr. Client, who was born on January 1st, 1900. When he gets into his teens, the first World War starts. As he reaches early adulthood, the country is just wrapping up a large pandemic, the Spanish Flu. As he maybe gets married, starts a family, and gets into his working years, we experience the Great Depression. In his late 30’s, World War II begins. As he turns 50, we enter the Korean War. As he wraps up his working years and hopes to enjoy time with family, we head into Vietnam. Sounds like a tough deal. But he got through all of it and retired.

As we continued throughout history, we’ve had things happen which have shaken our world. We always will. However, the sun rises every morning, and we move forward. Sometimes we have setbacks, other times, we go sideways. But in the end, we must believe in the brighter days that follow.

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