02/03/2026
Our View on Markets This Morning
With the U.S. strike on Iranโs political leadership overnight, geopolitical risk has quickly shifted from background noise to a front-page market driver.
As markets open today, we expect a more cautious tone.
In moments like this, the pattern is often familiar:
โข Equities soften as investors reduce risk exposure
โข Oil prices move higher on supply disruption concerns
โข Capital rotates toward defensive assets and safe havens
This isnโt about panic โ itโs about repricing risk.
The key question now is whether tensions escalate further or move toward containment. Markets tend to dislike uncertainty more than they dislike bad news. Once thereโs clarity, volatility typically moderates.
From a portfolio perspective, this is precisely why we emphasise diversification and disciplined positioning. Short-term geopolitical shocks can create sharp moves, but they rarely alter long-term fundamentals unless they evolve into sustained economic disruption.
Right now, weโre watching:
1. Energy price impact
2. Inflation implications
3. Potential policy responses
4. Whether the situation remains contained regionally
Periods like this remind us why resilient portfolios are built in advance โ not in reaction.
If youโd like to review your positioning or simply want to talk through the implications, weโre always available for a conversation.
Stay steady.
Daniel Tay
MDRT