Rising geopolitical tensions in the Middle East triggered market volatility across stocks, oil, and gold. Understanding how markets react to global conflict can help investors maintain long-term perspective.

January delivered a constructive start for markets in 2026, with gains across most asset classes and a notable shift in leadership toward smaller companies and global equities. This update reviews January performance and what early trends may signal for the year ahead.

Warren Buffett’s success isn’t just about returns—it’s about timeless principles like patience, simplicity, and staying the course. In this post, I break down key Warren Buffett investment principles and how you can apply them to your own long-term financial plan.