When stock markets are rattled, even by war, it usually pays for investors to be patient

When stock markets are falling, it’s natural to want to do something quickly to protect your retirement savings.

Historically, though, staying calm has been best when it comes to investing.

The U.S. stock market has a track record of recovering from every steep drop it’s taken.

Whether it’s an oil shock or a military war, the S&P 500 has always recouped its losses to push on toward more records.

Of course, that has sometimes taken years or even a decade, but anyone who sold their stocks after getting spooked by a steep decline missed out on the eventual recovery.