Push Me, Pull You: Why Markets Behave Unexpectedly in a Crisis (Ep. 43)
With war headlines, rising government debt, and fears of broader instability, many investors are asking a simple question:
Why isn’t the market reacting more?
This episode was recorded during a recent market pullback, when volatility and uncertainty were front of mind. Shortly afterwards, markets recovered—highlighting one of the central themes of this conversation: markets often move in ways that feel counterintuitive in the moment.
Adam Scott, CFP®, unpacks the apparent disconnect between alarming global events and a market that, at times, appears surprisingly resilient. Drawing on real client questions, he explores whether we’re truly in a crisis—and more importantly, whether markets are behaving irrationally or exactly as they tend to over time.
Adam breaks down the “push and pull” forces at work beneath the surface. He outlines resilient factors that can support markets even when headlines suggest they should be falling, and why the real challenge isn’t predicting the next move, but being properly positioned before volatility arrives.
This episode is less about a specific moment in the market—and more about understanding why markets often behave in ways that surprise investors during every crisis.
Key Takeaways
- Why markets don’t always fall—even when the news feels overwhelmingly negative
- How quickly sentiment can shift, and what recent market recovery illustrates
- The hidden forces (earnings, innovation, AI) that can support markets during crises
- Why every crisis feels unique—but investor reactions tend to repeat
- How to think about portfolio positioning before a downturn, not during it
- The real risk of trying to time exits and re-entries during volatile periods
- Why bonds can improve resilience—but only if you understand what you own
Connect with Adam Scott, CFP®:
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