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The wealthy are caught in the high-beam headlights of toxic rhetoric around equity, inequality, greed, power, excessive affluence, and influence of the wealthiest 1 percent. This has become a hot issue in the political environment, where both old media and new social media continue to add data that fuels the growing anger toward, and mistrust of, wealth. It raises the question of what are realistic responses for those with wealth, the families and individuals who are in the 1 percent, even if their wealth is nowhere on the scale of the very wealthiest.

Last week was relatively quiet in terms of global economic data, with investors watching actions by central banks. The European Central Bank announced additional monthly asset purchases and cuts to interest rates, which President Mario Draghi believes will be sufficient to support economic activity. This week, meetings are scheduled for the Bank of Japan (BOJ) and Federal Reserve. The Fed is unlikely to change policy this month, but will likely see sufficiently positive economic data to raise rates in June.

Financial markets steadied through the end of February and into early March, led by stabilizing oil prices, relief in the exchange value of the Chinese yuan and other emerging market currencies, and some improved domestic economic data points. Stronger retail sales, industrial production and jobless claims helped alleviate near-term recession fears. Fourth quarter gross domestic product (GDP) growth was revised slightly higher to 1 percent, and first quarter GDP appears in line with the modest trend of the past several years.

U.S. equities are entering 2016 and approaching the seven-year bull market anniversary amidst market crosscurrents, however, macro and fundamental backdrops remain favorable for equities. Inflation, earnings, valuation, interest rates, and sentiment are all generally supportive of equity prices.

The easy investment returns enjoyed since the end of the financial crisis have succumbed to the pressures of elevated valuations, Federal Reserve tightening and oil price declines, which have created significant volatility, bearish sentiment and losses among investors. This changed investment environment has caused a wave of worries, with many wondering how to navigate the choppy waters of the marketplace and subdued economic growth.

This economic cycle has been a long one, seven years without a slowdown. Any other time, people would be near the doors, ready to get out. But this market has been slowly evolving and though many people thought they could outsmart the market over the last seven years, those who took a long-term strategic mindset—measuring success in the capital markets over years and decades, not weeks and quarters—are the ones who did well. Investment thinkers who apply the long-term view also see abundant opportunities in the next 10 years.

Markets have had a very turbulent start to 2016, and the global economy faces a number of clear challenges. The implications of four interlinked issues—China, crude oil, credit markets, and central banks—are unsettling capital markets. The global economy faces several challenges, but it is continuing to grow, and there are reasons to maintain cautious optimism. A disciplined investment process is essential in the current environment.

During uncertain times, it is easy to get caught up in the latest headlines proclaiming a possible U.S. recession. Although many variables such as growth in hourly earnings or high yield spreads over Treasury bonds have been shown to “predict” recessions in advance, the slope of the yield curve remains a powerful indicator of what lies ahead for the U.S. economy. Using history as a guide and active monitoring of leading indicators (including what the yield curve is signaling), the analysis shows the U.S. economy will grow at a modest but uneven pace.

As December’s difficult market conditions spilled over into 2016, the new year was greeted with worries about China’s economic slowdown, the US dollar, the Federal Reserve’s intentions for future interest rate increases, falling oil prices, and dampening global economic activity. Today the world’s capital markets are in a delicate place, and it’s too soon to be sure how the markets will sort themselves out. In times of uncertainty, it’s always best to stick with the fundamental truths of disciplined investing.

Making decisions that will affect future wealth is daunting under the best of circumstances. And these days can hardly be described as the best of times. Economies are in transition, US interest rates have begun to rise, China’s growth economy is slowing, and stock prices are more volatile than they have been in quite a while. In periods of uneasiness—with the short-term market pendulum swinging back and forth—historical data shows it’s time to place trust in equities to deliver the returns needed to reach long-term, investment goals.