When the headlines won't sit still

Melissa Kolcz |
Categories
Market Volatility
Iran

It feels important to start here.

Before we talk about markets or money, it’s worth acknowledging what’s behind the headlines recently.

The events we’ve seen in the Middle East the past month have real human consequences. Families are affected. Communities are disrupted. For some, this may feel very close to home.

If this feels personal, that’s completely understandable. And this goes far beyond portfolios.

At the same time, these events have shaken markets.

And if this week has felt confusing from an investing perspective, you’re not imagining it.

Since late-February, the headlines from the Persian Gulf have gotten more alarming by the day.

  • A looming energy crisis1
  • Attacks on shipping routes2
  • Oil climbing above $100 a barrel3
  • Concerns about a prolonged conflict4
  • Stocks cratering while interest rates surged5

The tone felt heavy. Things escalated quickly.

Then, just as quickly, the story turned…

  • Talk of negotiations with Iran6
  • A pause on U.S. strikes7
  • Stocks rallied8
  • Oil plunged9

Same story, evolving quickly. Very different market reaction.

And here’s the honest part.

As I’m writing this, I don’t know how this will look by the time you actually get to read it. Things are moving that fast.

But here’s what I can say…

Headlines change quickly. Your approach shouldn’t have to.

It’s natural to feel like you need to respond when the story keeps shifting. New developments come in, markets react, and it can feel like staying on top of it all requires action.

But that’s a tough game to win.

Markets move on expectations, probabilities, and sometimes just a hint of news. Prices can swing before the full picture is clear, then reverse just as quickly.

If your strategy changes every time the narrative changes, you’re not really investing. You’re reacting.

And reacting to a fast-paced, moving target rarely leads to better outcomes.

An intentional financial strategy is designed with weeks like this in mind.

Not the calm ones.

The unpredictable ones.

The ones that are hard to make sense of in real time.

That strategy is built around what you can control:

  • A diversified mix of investments, so no single event carries all the weight
  • A long-term allocation aligned with your goals and timeline
  • An understanding that volatility will show up from time to time

Because it always does.

Think about what we’ve seen just in the past few days. Markets moved sharply on a shift in tone, even though the broader situation is still unfolding.

That’s not unusual. It’s how markets work.

And it’s exactly why reacting to every headline can work against you.

Some of the biggest market moves happen during the most uncertain moments, not after things feel settled. Even missing a few of the market’s best days can noticeably impact your long-term results.10

So instead of trying to keep up with every twist, it can help to come back to your strategy.

Not because the headlines don’t matter. But because they don’t need to dictate every decision.

Your goals haven’t changed this week.

Your timeline likely hasn’t either.

And a thoughtful investment approach should be built to carry you through periods like this.

If you’re feeling unsettled, that’s completely normal. Weeks like this can shake confidence, even for experienced investors.

That can be a good time to pause, ask questions, and make sure everything still lines up with where you’re headed.

Because while the headlines may keep changing, having a clear approach can help you move forward with more confidence.

Sources

  1. The Guardian, 2026 [URL: https://www.theguardian.com/world/2026/mar/23/iran-war-energy-crisis-1970s-oil-shocks-fatih-birol-iea]
  2. Al Jazeera, 2026 [URL: https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2026/3/11/iran-fires-missiles-drones-at-gulf-nations-as-ship-hit-in-strait-of-hormuz]
  3. CNBC, 2026 [URL: https://www.cnbc.com/2026/03/09/cnbc-daily-open-oil-storms-past-100-for-first-time-since-2022.html]
  4. CBS News, 2026 [URL: https://www.cbsnews.com/news/trump-administration-iran-ground-troop-preparations/]
  5. CNBC, 2026 [URL: https://www.cnbc.com/2026/03/19/stock-market-today-live-updates.html]
  6. Axios, 2026 [URL: https://www.axios.com/2026/03/23/trump-suspends-iran-strikes-hormuz-negotiations]
  7. Politico, 2026 [URL: https://www.politico.com/news/2026/03/23/donald-trump-iran-talks-00839682]
  8. The Wall Street Journal, 2026 [URL: https://www.wsj.com/finance/stocks/global-stocks-markets-dow-news-03-23-2026-f5dea767]
  9. CNBC, 2026 [URL: https://www.cnbc.com/2026/03/23/oil-prices-trump-iran-strait-of-hormuz-wti-crude-middle-east-lng-gas.html]
  10. Vanguard, 2025 [URL: https://advisors.vanguard.com/insights/article/staying-the-course-does-not-mean-set-it-and-forget-it]