Orton: Global Markets Stabilizing Amid West Asia Risks
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- Matt Orton, Head of Advisory Solutions and Market Strategy at Raymond James Investment, said both sides engaging in ceasefire discussions suggests movement toward some form of resolution, "even though there may be disruptions along the way."
- After a strong rally from Asia to the US, markets entered a consolidation phase reflecting uncertainty over negotiations rather than fundamental deterioration in sentiment.
- Crude oil and gold — typically reactive to geopolitical shocks — have not spiked, suggesting investor positioning had already turned defensive and leaving room for cautious optimism.
- Orton revealed he raised cash earlier during the conflict and is now selectively deploying capital into sectors with strong long-term growth visibility, but warned: "You cannot say with certainty that the lows are behind us."
- Orton recommended a staggered investment approach — "wade into positions, add incrementally" — focused on high-quality companies with durable earnings and minimal exposure to energy price shocks or supply chain volatility.
- Equity markets diverged from traditional safe-haven assets like gold and crude oil despite ceasefire-violation headlines, a sign Orton attributes to "broad participation and strong trading volumes" in the recent rally.
Why it matters: For investors weighing whether to reenter after the rally, Orton's own portfolio move — raising cash during the conflict and now selectively redeploying — provides a concrete playbook, while his insistence on incremental positioning over aggressive bets means the consensus call is quality over speed, with the caveat that volatility could persist if military escalation resumes.
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