A look back at when the world feared the worse. By Consilium.

Geopolitical crises often trigger dramatic headlines and sharp market reactions. When Iraq invaded Kuwait in 1990, oil prices surged, markets fell, and investors feared the worst. Yet history shows that moments like these are rarely the end of the story.

From the Gulf War to more recent Middle East tensions, markets have repeatedly demonstrated resilience—recovering from short-term shocks and continuing their long-term growth.

So what does this pattern mean for investors today, particularly here in New Zealand? In this blog, we explore how markets have historically responded to conflict and why staying disciplined during uncertain times has often proven to be the most successful strategy.