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The ASX 200 finished a choppy week down just -0.5%, recovering from early weakness sparked by President Trump’s threats toward European allies tied to his ambitions around Greenland. While the rhetoric was quickly walked back at Davos, the episode was a reminder of how abruptly geopolitical risk can re-emerge. Yet markets largely shrugged it off, highlighting their resilience to headline-driven volatility. The “buy-the-dip” trade — closely tied to the so-called “TACO trade” (Trump Always Chickens Out) — continues to deliver, at least for now. The market may feel unsettled to many, but it’s still up +1.7% year-to-date, dragged higher by a robust materials sector, which has already surged +9.3% in 2026.
The ASX 200 finished a choppy week down just -0.5%, recovering from early weakness sparked by President Trump’s threats toward European allies tied to his ambitions around Greenland. While the rhetoric was quickly walked back at Davos, the episode was a reminder of how abruptly geopolitical risk can re-emerge. Yet markets largely shrugged it off, highlighting their resilience to headline-driven volatility. The “buy-the-dip” trade — closely tied to the so-called “TACO trade” (Trump Always Chickens Out) — continues to deliver, at least for now. The market may feel unsettled to many, but it’s still up +1.7% year-to-date, dragged higher by a robust materials sector, which has already surged +9.3% in 2026.
The ASX finished modestly higher as a rare day of strength for the IT stocks and continued support for the gold miners offset broader caution across banks and consumer shares. While the headlines have cooled through the week, geopolitical tension and rake hike expectations continue to reinforce nervous sentiment, as the market positions for what will likely be a volatile reporting season ahead – both here and in the US.
The ASX 200 bounced +0.8% on Thursday, driven higher by a robust banking sector – the financials contributed 80% of the index’s 66-point gain. The gold sector dominated the losers’ enclosure as the precious metal lost its shine following Trump’s more balanced speech from Davos, which notably stated that the US wouldn’t invade Greenland or impose tariffs on European nations in February.
The ASX proved resilient today, shaking off a stronger-than-expected jobs report that lifted rate-hike expectations for the February RBA meeting. Tariff fears eased as President Trump softened his stance on Europe and Greenland underpinning sentiment, with strength across the banks and energy sector more than offsetting weakness in gold, allowing the market to hold solid gains into the close.
The ASX 200 slipped another 0.4% on Wednesday, its third consecutive decline, which was not enough to take the index into negative territory for the year, but it’s trying hard. After a brief attempt to bounce on Tuesday, the growth stocks returned to the losers enclosure while the resources delivered another standout performance to mitigate the day’s decline.
The ASX fell for a third consecutive session, although strength in some pockets (resources) was enough to only see modest declines at the index level. Tech and banks the major drags, while Gold rallied another $US100/oz to hit yet another record high at $US4871/oz – so much for it being a crowded trade!
We are making multiple changes across all domestic portfolios
The ASX200 retreated another -0.7% on Tuesday, leaving the index up only +1.2% for 2026 – not too bad considering the current geopolitical tensions unsettling markets. Selling wasn’t particularly broad-based in yesterday’s session, with over 40% of the main board closing higher, but when the “Big Four” banks and BHP Group (BHP) find themselves in the naughty corner, the local bourse is always going to struggle.
We are reducing several positions in the International Equities Portfolio
