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As volatility and uncertainty heighten, Schroders says the payoff in avoiding the temptation to chase the crowd looks increasingly promising.

The local jobs print takes centre stage in the week ahead, with NAB forecasting the unemployment rate to tick back to 4%, unwinding January’s rise. State side, the FOMC is expected to hold on Wednesday with new projections and Powell’s presser in focus. Rounding things out for the week both the BoJ and BoE are seen to be on hold when they meet on Wednesday and Thursday respectively.

Amid a tornado of headlines, where can investors find opportunity? Fidelity Global Future Leaders strategies says major indices will need to defy history if they are to deliver anything like the returns of recent years. Adding, in a rapidly changing environment, investors may need to look further afield for the next winners.

The ASX has leaned into correction territory as worries of a global trade war escalate. Financials lead the drag while gold soars as investors flock to safety as US President Trump will not exempt Australia from steel and aluminium tariffs, PM Albanese says reciprocal tariffs will not be imposed. Around Asia trade is volatile with global economic uncertainty weighing on sentiment. 

Global equity markets are reeling as US President Donald Trump’s policies stoke volatility. Schroders says with growth down and inflation up, it’s a policy mix that could get Trump booted out.

Crimson tide. The contagion on Wall Street has spread across the Asian region with the ASX slumping to touch a 7-month low as continued uncertainty around Trump’s tariffs stoke fears of a recession. Financials have faltered, gold has lost its lustre and tech has tanked. In FX, it’s all about the safe-haven trade as the yen trades near a five-month high and the big dollar gets ditched. Here’s your markets at a glance.

Amid a hot start to 2025, these are the key themes to pay attention to. MA Financial Group shares views across key asset classes including private credit, real estate, equities, private equity and venture capital.

It will be quiet locally in the week ahead with focus on the potential fallout from ex-tropical Cyclone Alfred. Offshore though it will be busy. Will the US’ 25% tariffs on steel and aluminium go ahead in full and any retaliation, CPI & PPI dominate the data docket in the US and whether a US government shutdown is avoided by Friday when a continuing resolution is due to be passed. 

With reporting season behind us, and the focus on global challenges including daily tariff announcements and dramatic geopolitical shifts, investors could be forgiven for wanting a breather. This fund manager says it’s a year for boring returns, and being thoughtful about your exposure. Gemma Dale speaks with Aussie equities manager Hugh Dive CFA from Atlas Funds Management on this episode of the Your Wealth Podcast.

ICYMI. At the latest ASX CEO Connect Conference nabtrade’s Gemma Dale talks through what's happened on the ASX year to date, reporting season and of course key themes to watch in the year ahead. Watch the full presentation below.