Chaos is not a ladder: Navigating human behaviour at times of market stress

'It is important to maintain perspective'

clock • 4 min read

Only by understanding instinctive human behaviour can we truly learn about the potential impact on client portfolios, writes Sacha Chorley

In what has been a truly eventful week, much analysis has been pumped out on the situation in Iran and all the various scenarios that could now play out, including how this will feed into markets. But as investors, it is also vital to examine this episode more in the manner of a playbook of how we should try and behave when something of this nature occurs. Only by understanding instinctive human behaviour can we truly learn about the potential impact upon client portfolios. Despite some people making bets on prediction markets that something was about to happen, and energy markets pri...

To continue reading this article...

Join Professional Adviser for free

  • Unlimited access to real-time news, industry insights and market intelligence
  • Stay ahead of the curve with spotlights on emerging trends and technologies
  • Receive breaking news stories straight to your inbox in the daily newsletters
  • Make smart business decisions with the latest developments in regulation, investing retirement and protection
  • Members-only access to the editor’s weekly Friday commentary
  • Be the first to hear about our events and awards programmes

Join

 

Already a Professional Adviser member?

Login

More on Investment

How quality investing behaves through the cycle

How quality investing behaves through the cycle

Resilience when it matters more

Joseph Stephens and Laura Neill
clock 14 September 2026 • 4 min read
Why portfolios need to evolve, not revolve when it comes to client outcomes

Why portfolios need to evolve, not revolve when it comes to client outcomes

'As market structures evolve, so must portfolio construction'

Ed Senior
clock 11 September 2026 • 4 min read
What does 'quality' investing actually mean?

What does 'quality' investing actually mean?

Why persistence is the real test

Joseph Stephens and Laura Neill
clock 11 September 2026 • 4 min read