With the seismic changes to the global order catalysed by the Trump administration, we see a crucible for global shifts away from the US-led order of free markets, free trade and globalisation that prevailed since the end of the Cold War. Entering a highly uncertain environment, investors should brace for volatility in interest rates, currencies, and inflationary pressures - and building a robust investment portfolio has never been more important, as the fluid backdrop challenges many of the assumptions behind traditional portfolio construction. We believe investors should re-think and re-position their portfolios across asset classes, countries, and styles to prepare for the significant uncertainties ahead, particularly as global markets grapple with diverging economic policies, geopolitical shifts, technology advances and demographic trends worldwide.
At the same time, investors need to address critical questions, including: How will the increasing proliferation of artificial intelligence impact markets? Will the arena of global competition extend beyond military might? And how will shifts in immigration trends influence the investment landscape ahead?
