Skip to main content
Back

Middle East Conflict and Market Risk

3 March 2026

Alex Grassino, Global Chief Economist

Alex Grassino, Global Chief Economist, shares his latest views on the recent increase in military activity and geopolitical tensions in the Middle East.

 

 

 

Global geopolitical and economic uncertainty has unfortunately become a defining characteristic of the 2020s, the recent increase in military activity and geopolitical tensions in the Middle East being yet another example. The beginning of U.S. and Israeli military operations against Iran prompted swift retaliatory action, which included an attempted drone strike on Qatar’s energy infrastructure. While no damage was recorded, a major liquefied natural gas terminal was closed, signaling the potential for broader fallout than resulted from the June 2025 Israel-Iran conflict.

 

Download full PDF

  • Global Multi Asset Diversified Income Strategy (GMADI) update: A balanced approach to market volatility

    Global equity markets have recently experienced sharper movements, particularly in areas linked to artificial intelligence (AI). Earnings announcements from AI hardware, semiconductor and large cloud-computing companies have been key sources of volatility. Concerns about potential interest rate hikes have added to uncertainty. The Global Multi Asset Diversified Income (GMADI) Strategy has not been immune to these market movements. However, its income focus, broad diversification and relatively defensive positioning may help limit the effect of sharp changes in technology and growth-related investments.

    Read more
  • Global Equity Diversified Income (GEDI) Fund: Staying selective through market volatility

    Global equity markets have recently experienced greater volatility. Much of this has been driven by earnings announcements from AI hardware, semiconductor and large cloud-computing companies. Concerns about potential interest rate hikes have also added to investor uncertainty. After a prolonged period of strong performance in AI-related areas, market expectations have become demanding. Even companies reporting solid results have experienced sharp share-price moves when their outlook has only met, rather than exceeded, investor expectations. Against this backdrop, the GEDI Fund remains focused on its core objective: generating income while maintaining diversified exposure to potential capital growth.

    Read more
  • Real assets and the infrastructure behind AI

    Artificial intelligence (AI) is often positioned as a story of models and applications, but its growth depends heavily on something far more tangible. Real assets such as data centres, power grids, and raw materials form the physical that supports AI development. As structural forces reshape the investment landscape, real assets are emerging as an enabler of the AI buildout.

    Read more
See all
  • Global Multi Asset Diversified Income Strategy (GMADI) update: A balanced approach to market volatility

    Global equity markets have recently experienced sharper movements, particularly in areas linked to artificial intelligence (AI). Earnings announcements from AI hardware, semiconductor and large cloud-computing companies have been key sources of volatility. Concerns about potential interest rate hikes have added to uncertainty. The Global Multi Asset Diversified Income (GMADI) Strategy has not been immune to these market movements. However, its income focus, broad diversification and relatively defensive positioning may help limit the effect of sharp changes in technology and growth-related investments.

    Read more
  • Global Equity Diversified Income (GEDI) Fund: Staying selective through market volatility

    Global equity markets have recently experienced greater volatility. Much of this has been driven by earnings announcements from AI hardware, semiconductor and large cloud-computing companies. Concerns about potential interest rate hikes have also added to investor uncertainty. After a prolonged period of strong performance in AI-related areas, market expectations have become demanding. Even companies reporting solid results have experienced sharp share-price moves when their outlook has only met, rather than exceeded, investor expectations. Against this backdrop, the GEDI Fund remains focused on its core objective: generating income while maintaining diversified exposure to potential capital growth.

    Read more
  • Real assets and the infrastructure behind AI

    Artificial intelligence (AI) is often positioned as a story of models and applications, but its growth depends heavily on something far more tangible. Real assets such as data centres, power grids, and raw materials form the physical that supports AI development. As structural forces reshape the investment landscape, real assets are emerging as an enabler of the AI buildout.

    Read more
See all
Important notice

With effect from 2 July 2026, the Customer Service Centre of Manulife Investment Management (Hong Kong) Limited is relocated to 23/F., Manulife Tower, One Bay East, 83 Hoi Bun Road, Kwun Tong, Kowloon.  This centre provides customer services in relation to Manulife InvestChoice Accounts, Manulife Advanced Fund SFC, Manulife Global Fund and Manulife Hong Kong Series.  Please call Customer Contact Centre at 2108 1110 to make an appointment prior to your visit.  

View more