Should investors ‘buy the dip’? How to invest as volatility rises amid Iran crisis

Analysts say it’s too early to do so, and recommend blue chips, gold, safe-haven currencies and selected industries

In response to the liquidity crunch, BlackRock has allowed redemptions up to the 5% limit for the HPS Corporate Lending Fund.
THINKING ALOUD

Acid test for private credit

PRIVATE credit is at a crossroads.

JPMorgan CEO Jamie Dimon says the lender is being more prudent in lending against software assets.

JPMorgan marks down loan portfolios of private credit groups: FT

This applies to borrowings by software firms, which the bank views as vulnerable to disruption from AI

Oil prices have shot up and down in the wake of the US-Israeli strikes on Iran and subsequent developments.
MIND THE GAP

How scary is geopolitical risk? Oil price is key

Developments in the Gulf conflict are testing investors’ penchant to buy the dip

Petrol prices in the United States have climbed 17%, and now average about US$3.50 per gallon, the highest level since 2024.

Short of ending Iran conflict, Trump has limited tools to lower oil prices

Possible options include waiving federal taxes or restricting US fuel exports, analysts say

Bain’s ability to lock down capital in roughly seven months stands in contrast to the broader market.

Bain Capital raises US$12.5 billion in Asia, Japan fund sprint

Strong demand pushes the fund to its hard cap, far exceeding the US$7 billion target

Higher oil and gas prices act as a hidden tax on consumers and businesses, thereby slowing overall economic activity and fuelling inflation.
CIO CORNER

Are investors complacent or savvy in looking past the noise?

Focusing on the enduring fundamentals will drive long-term portfolio success

For professionals, having children may involve high direct and indirect costs. But there are also unique rewards, says the writer.
SENSE & CENTS

Having a child can be a financial mistake, but that’s okay

The costs of raising kids are high, and parents’ employability may suffer

Having "not-selling" as a default mindset forces investors to ask better questions before buying a stock, says the writer.
A SMART LOOK AT INVESTING

The subtle art of not selling stocks

Discipline doesn’t start at the point of buying; it happens long before

Asia’s import-dependent economies are acutely sensitive to energy price shocks. Market reactions were thus sharp in countries such as South Korea, where the stock market suffered its worst single-day crash since 2008 in early March.
SCIENCE OF WEALTH

What to make of war, oil price, inflation and volatility

Resist the urge to time markets around headlines; instead, be patient and stay invested in a diversified portfolio