We’re seeing an increase in market volatility right now, and a big part of that is being driven by geopolitical tension and its impact on oil prices. We want to talk through those things at a high level, because when markets get noisy, context matters.
(Recorded and written Monday, March 9th, 2026)
First, Let’s Keep Some Perspective
Before we label this as extreme volatility, it helps to remember what’s normal. Right now, the Dow Jones is down a little less than 5% from its highs. The NASDAQ is down about 7% from its all-time highs.
In a typical year, we would expect the stock market to experience a fairly wide range from top to bottom. Even though markets tend to move upward over time, they rarely do it in a straight line. That kind of movement is part of the experience of investing.
While we are seeing volatility, I would not categorize it as extreme. That said, we may continue to see volatility in the coming weeks as uncertainty around global events remains elevated.
Why Oil Prices Matter
The reason markets are paying attention here is because geopolitical instability can affect oil prices, and oil prices have ripple effects across the broader economy. When energy prices rise, it can affect everything from manufacturing and transportation to delivery costs and the prices of everyday goods and services. That’s part of what drives not just volatility in oil, but also volatility in the stock market and broader economic uncertainty.
What This Means for Investors
At times like this, it’s important to remember that uncertainty is part of investing. Markets respond quickly to headlines, and they often react before there is clarity. That does not automatically mean something is broken, nor does it mean long-term investors need to abandon a sound plan.
It does mean we stay disciplined, keep perspective, and continue to focus on the things we can control.
A Reminder for Retirees and Those Closing In on Retirement
If you’re retired or nearing retirement, this is also a good reminder of how we build portfolios.
We build with the goal of providing for multiple years of cash flow outside of having to sell stocks to meet near-term needs. That means we are not depending on short-term market performance to fund near-term or even intermediate-term cash flow.
Portfolios are designed with periods like this in mind.
More than anything, environments like this are a reminder of why having a plan matters and why continuing to execute it is so important.
If You Have Questions
As always, if you have questions, concerns, or critiques, reach out anytime. You are never an impediment to the work we do. You are the reason we get to do meaningful work every day. Thank you for the opportunity to serve you and your family as clients of Vizionary Wealth Management.