The long game wins

Investors are often tempted to chase short-term gains or retreat hastily when markets falter. However, research highlights the value of disciplined, long-term investment strategies. Siobhan Simpson unpacks why staying focused on the long game could make all the difference. 

There’s an old adage that says investing is a marathon, not a sprint. Perhaps now more than ever, it deserves repeating. If there’s one lesson to take from Donald Trump’s tariff whiplash, it is that the disciplined investors – those who pace themselves, block out the noise, and stay focused on their end goal – are often the ones who win.

April was a sharp reminder of how quickly sentiment and direction can shift.

We’ve come through a period of remarkable highs. The S&P 500, fuelled by the Magnificent 7, achieved annual gains exceeding 20% in two consecutive years (2023 and 2024) – a rarity not witnessed since the late 1990s. This surge was underpinned by what many dubbed the new era of US exceptionalism. But as we entered 2025, the tide began to turn. April was a sharp reminder of how quickly sentiment and direction can shift, as markets reacted to Trump's declaration of “Liberation Day” and a fresh wave of headline-fuelled volatility.

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May 21 2025 By Siobhan Simpson - Ninety One