Stock markets are buoyant on optimism that the U.S. will raise its debt ceiling, avoiding a default and global economic fallout, but investors now need to avoid complacency.

Wall Street’s S&P 500 index and the Nasdaq Composite both reached their highest levels since August 2022, up 0.9% and 1.5%, respectively, Thursday.

Meanwhile, Asia-Pacific markets rose Friday, and European markets are set to do the same at the open. U.S. futures are also ticking higher.

A huge sense of relief is sweeping across stock markets after U.S. policymakers said that a bill to raise the debt ceiling in the world’s largest economy may be put to a vote next week, raising the possibility of a deal to avoid a government default and the serious global economic repercussions that would follow.

The reports coming out of Washington help restore confidence, stability and certainty — which markets thrive on — as they indicate that the US government will continue to meet its financial commitments.”

4 Defensive Sectors

However, investors must avoid complacency.

While stock markets are enjoying this wave of buoyancy, with investors appearing to be looking beyond the current interest rate cycle and ahead to the next upswing in the economic cycle, core major bond markets continue to be marked by inverted yield curves, which suggest a recession is looming.

The inverted yield curve indicates a recession is ahead because it’s a sign of a tight credit market and weak economic growth. The inversion has preceded most US recessions — which, of course, have a huge drag on the global economy — since 1950.

With this disconnect between stocks and bonds, investors should brace themselves for significant volatility in global financial markets over the next few weeks. We could see a 10% correction.

deVere believes that four key sectors would be mostly resilient in a recession. These include commodities, such as oil, as their prices typically rise in response to inflation; consumer staples like food, and hygiene products, as demand is likely to remain relatively stable; healthcare, as it provides essential services that are less affected by economic cycles; and utilities, including electricity, gas, and water as demand will also be typically consistent.

While a resolution of the debt ceiling crisis may provide a temporary relief rally, it doesn't guarantee sustained market growth or shield against other market risks.

Investors need to be alive to the real challenges potentially coming down the track that could hit their returns if their portfolios are not properly diversified.

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London-born Nigel Green is founder and CEO of deVere Group. Following in his father’s footstep, he entered the financial services industry as a young adult. After working in the sector for 15 years in London, he subsequently spent several years operating within the international space, before launching deVere in 2002 with a single office in Hong Kong. Today, deVere is one of the world’s largest independent financial advisory organizations, doing business in 100 countries and with more than $12bn under advisement. It specializes global financial solutions to international, local mass affluent, and high-net-worth clients. In early 2017, it was announced that deVere would launch its own private bank. In addition, deVere also confirmed it has received its own investment banking license.