The MSCI World index increased by over 8486% between 1970 and 2020, despite the constant flow of ‘bad news’. While past performance isn’t a guide to future returns, the best companies in the world have historically delivered positive returns for investors, particularly over the longer term.
2020 – COVID-19 GLOBAL PANDEMIC
2019 – PRESIDENT TRUMP IMPEACHMENT
2018 – UNITED STATES INITIATES TRADE WAR WITH CHIINA
2017 – TRUMP INAUGURATION
2016 – BREXIT VOTE
2015 – CHINESE STOCK MARKET TURBULENCE
2014 – FIGHTING IN UKRAINE AND CRIMEA. FALL IN CRUDE OIL PRICE. SCOTTISH UK REFERENDUM.
2013 – US SENATE EXPENSES SCANDAL. BOSTON MARATHON BOMBING
2012 – GREEK GOVERNMENT DEBT CRISIS.
2011 – TSUNAMI IN JAPAN, LONDON RIOTS
2010 – BP OIL SPILL, COALITION GOVERNMENT / UK SPENDING CUTS
2009 – COLLAPSE OF UK BANKS
2008 – GLOBAL FINANCIAL CRISIS (THE GREAT SALE)
2007 – GORDON BROWN SUCCEEDS TONY BLAIR AS PRIME MINISTER, SNP BECOMES LARGEST POLITICAL PARTY IN SCOTLAND
2006 – SAGO MINE DISASTER. MUMBAI TRAIN BOMBINGS
2005 – LONDON BOMBINGS, HURRICANE KATRINA
2004 – MADRID TRAIN BOMBINGS, DECLINE OF THE DOLLAR
2003 – UK BEGINS IRAQ MILITARY CAMPAIGN
2002 – US INVADES AFGHANISTAN
2001 – 9/11 (WORLD TRADE CENTRE)
2000 – .COM BUBBLE BURSTS
1999 – YUGOSLAVIA CONFLICT, US PRESIDENTIAL IMPEACHMENT
1998 – RUSSIAN CURRENCY DEVALUATION
1997 – ASIA FINANCIAL CRISIS
1996 – US AND RUSSIAN TROOPS ENTER BOSNIA
1995 – S&P500 ALL-TIME HIGH
1994 – MEXICAN PESO DEVALUATION
1993 – SEPARATION OF CZECHOSLOVAKIA
1992 – RISING INTEREST RATES
1991 – UK RECESSION
1990 – GULF WAR
1989 – TOKYO STOCK MARKET CRASH
1988 – US SAVINGS AND LOAN CRISIS
1987 – BLACK MONDAY
1986 – CHERNOBYL DISASTER
1985 – UK RIOTS (BRIXTON AND BROADWATER)
1984 – MINER’S STRIKE
1983 – GLOBAL MARKET HIGHS
1982 – FALKLANDS WAR, RECESSION, 3 MILLION UNEMPLOYED
1981 – BRIXTON RIOTS
1980 – IRAQ WAR, HIGH INFLATION
1979 – DEVOLUTION OF SCOTLAND AND WALES
1978 – WINTER OF DISCONTENT (PUBLIC CENTRE STRIKES)
1977 – RISING INFLATION
1976 – UK STERLING CRISIS. HIGH INFLATION AND UNEMPLOYMENT
1975 – THATCHER BECOMES LEADER OF THE CONSERVATIVE PARTY. EEC REFERENDUM
1974 – STATE OF EMERGENCY ANNOUNCED IN NORTHERN IRELAND
1973 – STOCK MARKET FALLS 45%, BRITISH SHARES FALL £4BILLION IN ONE DAY
1972 – WATERGATE SCANDAL, MUNICH MASSACRE
1971 – INDO-PAKISTAN WAR
1970 – US INVADE CAMBODIA
1969 – DOW JONES DECLINES 18%
1968 – JFK ASSASSINATION
1967 – ARAB-ISRAELI WAR
The content of this article is for information purposes only and does not constitute a personal recommendation. You should always speak to a financial adviser that is regulated by the Central Bank of Ireland when considering financial advice. Any recommendation made will be based on a full suitability assessment that will include a comprehensive review of your circumstances, needs and objectives.Past Performance Is Not A Guide To Future Returns.
