No peace plan, no problem: Why the wartime market keeps rising

illuminem summarises for you the essential news of the day. Read the full piece on The Wall Street Journal or enjoy below:

🗞️ Driving the news: Global stock markets continue to rise despite escalating war risks, as investors increasingly bet that geopolitical shocks, like the conflict involving Iran, will not derail long-term market gains

🔭 The context: Following U.S. and Israeli strikes on Iran, fears of a major oil disruption briefly rattled markets
• Yet retail and institutional investors alike are buying into volatility, expecting central banks, resilient corporate earnings, and market momentum to offset geopolitical risks
• Platforms like Robinhood are seeing renewed interest from everyday investors, reflecting a broader trend where bad news fuels risk-taking rather than caution

🌍 Why it matters for the planet: Persistent market optimism during crises can delay structural shifts toward sustainable energy, as capital continues flowing into traditional assets rather than accelerating climate-aligned investments
• If fossil fuel volatility is treated as a short-term opportunity rather than a systemic risk, the energy transition may slow

⏭️ What’s next: Markets will be tested by inflation risks, energy price shocks, and geopolitical escalation
• A prolonged conflict could eventually challenge investor confidence

💬 One quote: “Bad news is often seen as a reason to buy.” — Market sentiment reflected by investors

📈 One stat: Roughly one-fifth of global oil supply is at risk of disruption in Middle East conflicts, yet equity markets have continued to trend upward

See on illuminem's Data Hub™ the sustainability performance — carbon credit purchases, total emissions, and climate targets of thousands of companies

Click for more news covering the latest on corporate governance