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Military tensions between Russia and Ukraine have dramatically escalated over the last few days and the situation remains extremely fluid. While a lot of details remain unclear about the response NATO allies might take, the current volatility in geopolitics and stock markets is unlikely to ebb anytime soon.

Markets are in a “Risk-Off” mood as global equities dropped 4%, compounding the losses seen in January due to worries around high inflation and the prospect of Central Banks raising interest rates as they prepare to battle inflation. This month has seen a perfect storm in terms of negative risks materialising.

Due to their binary nature, these events are highly unpredictable, and it is extremely difficult to hedge such risks, but our approach of having diversified exposure to various asset classes and geographies works best in such instances.

Market Outlook

The Western countries are likely to condemn Russia’s actions and impose heavy sanctions. As Russia is one of the largest Oil and Gas producers of the world, such sanctions are likely to keep Oil & Gas prices elevated over the near term, adding to the inflationary pressures experienced by developed economies. It is likely Central banks will not be deterred by this geopolitical uncertainty and will look to push ahead with their plans of hiking interest rates. Part of the sell-off in equity markets is attributed to this expectation. 

Although the situation is tense, history has shown that stocks typically take such geopolitical events in good stride. However, we do note that every situation is different, but we believe that eventually this uncertainty will be lifted, and markets will stabilise.