Podcast Summary: "Why Stocks Can Be Resilient Despite Geopolitical Risk"
Podcast Information:
- Title: Thoughts on the Market
- Host/Author: Morgan Stanley
- Description: Short, thoughtful, and regular takes on recent events in the markets from a variety of perspectives and voices within Morgan Stanley.
- Episode: Why Stocks Can Be Resilient Despite Geopolitical Risk
- Release Date: June 23, 2025
Introduction
In the episode titled "Why Stocks Can Be Resilient Despite Geopolitical Risk," Mike Wilson, Morgan Stanley’s Chief Investment Officer (CIO) and Chief U.S. Equity Strategist, delves into the interplay between recent geopolitical tensions and the resilience of U.S. equities. Released on June 23, 2025, the episode provides a comprehensive analysis of how geopolitical events, particularly those in the Middle East, influence the stock market and outlines strategic investment recommendations for navigating these turbulent times.
Geopolitical Tensions and US Equities
Mike Wilson opens the discussion by addressing the pressing geopolitical situation that unfolded over the weekend. He states:
“Over the weekend, the United States executed a surprise attack on Iran's nuclear enrichment facilities. While the extent of the damage has yet to be confirmed, President Trump has indicated Iran's nuclear weapon development efforts have been diminished substantially, if not fully.” [00:28]
Wilson interprets this event as potentially marking the peak of geopolitical risk concerning U.S. equities. He contextualizes this within a broader narrative, suggesting that many of the acute risks impacting U.S. stocks in the first quarter may have now subsided:
“In many ways, this fits our overall narrative for US equities that we have likely passed the worst for many risks that were weighing on stocks in the first quarter of the year.” [00:47]
He identifies several factors that previously contributed to market volatility, including immigration enforcement, fiscal spending cuts, tariffs, and a deceleration in AI capital expenditures. According to Wilson, these elements have "peaked in terms of their negative impact," leading to a rebound in earnings forecasts since mid-April.
Rebound in Earnings Forecasts
Wilson highlights a significant recovery in earnings projections, which has been a fundamental driver behind the strong performance of U.S. stocks since early April:
“The rebound in earnings revision breadth is one of the sharpest on record and provides a fundamental reason for why U.S. stocks have been so strong since bottoming the week of April 7th.” [01:10]
This optimistic turnaround in earnings expectations underscores the market's capacity to overcome previously daunting risks, reinforcing the resilience of equities even amidst ongoing geopolitical uncertainties.
Historical Perspective on Geopolitical Events and Stock Performance
To provide further context, Wilson references an analysis of 23 major geopolitical events since 1950 and their subsequent impact on stock prices:
“Geopolitical shocks are typically followed by higher, not lower equity prices, especially over six to 12 months.” [02:00]
He notes that only five out of the 23 events yielded negative outcomes for the stock market, and crucially, all instances of negative performance were accompanied by oil prices that had surged by at least 75% year-over-year. Currently, oil prices are down by 10% year-over-year, a significant decline even after the recent military actions:
“As of this morning, oil prices are down 10% year over year and this is after the actions over the weekend. In other words, the conditions are not in place for lower equity prices on the 6 to 12 month horizon.” [02:35]
This historical analysis suggests that the current geopolitical situation does not mirror the conditions that historically led to negative stock market performance, thereby supporting the view that equities can remain robust despite such risks.
Investment Recommendations
Building on the analysis, Wilson provides strategic investment advice tailored to the current economic and geopolitical landscape:
“We continue to recommend large cap higher quality equities rather than small cap lower quality names.” [02:50]
He cites the persistence of sticky long-term interest rates and the ongoing late-cycle environment, where the Federal Reserve is maintaining its current stance on interest rates. Wilson emphasizes that should the Fed begin signaling rate cuts, there would be a strategic pivot towards more cyclical sectors.
Preferred Sectors:
- Industrials: Positioned to benefit from increased capital spending on power and infrastructure projects.
- Financials: Expected to gain from anticipated deregulation in the fall.
- Software Stocks: Resilient to tariffs and poised to capitalize on the expansion of AI integration across various economic sectors.
- Energy: Favored over consumer discretionary stocks as a hedge against potential near-term rises in oil prices.
“Our favorite sectors remain industrials, which are geared to higher capital spending for power and infrastructure, financials, which should benefit from deregulation this fall, and software stocks that remain immune from tariffs and leverage to the next area of spending for AI diffusion across the economy. We also like energy over consumer discretionary as a hedge against the risk of higher oil prices in the near term.” [02:50-03:05]
Conclusion
Mike Wilson concludes the episode by reinforcing the theme of resilience within the U.S. equity markets amidst geopolitical tensions. The strategic focus on large-cap, higher-quality equities within select sectors aligns with the current market dynamics and the historical resilience observed in similar geopolitical scenarios.
“Thanks for tuning in. I hope you found today's episode informative and useful.” [03:05]
He encourages listeners to engage with the content by leaving reviews and sharing the podcast with colleagues, indicating a commitment to providing valuable market insights.
Key Takeaways
- Geopolitical Events: Recent U.S. actions in Iran may represent the peak of geopolitical risks affecting U.S. equities.
- Earnings Rebound: A significant rebound in earnings forecasts since April has bolstered stock performance.
- Historical Resilience: Historical data shows that most geopolitical shocks lead to higher equity prices over the medium term, especially when oil prices are not excessively high.
- Investment Strategy: Focus on large-cap, high-quality stocks in industrials, financials, software, and energy sectors for optimal resilience and growth potential.
Notable Quotes
- On Geopolitical Risks Peak: “In many ways, this fits our overall narrative for US equities that we have likely passed the worst for many risks that were weighing on stocks in the first quarter of the year.” [00:47]
- On Earnings Revisions: “The rebound in earnings revision breadth is one of the sharpest on record...” [01:10]
- On Historical Impact: “Geopolitical shocks are typically followed by higher, not lower equity prices...” [02:00]
- On Investment Recommendations: “We continue to recommend large cap higher quality equities rather than small cap lower quality names.” [02:50]
Disclaimer
The episode concludes with a standard disclaimer emphasizing that the content is for informational purposes only and should not be construed as financial or legal advice.
“The preceding content is informational only and based on information available when created. It is not an offer or solicitation, nor is it tax or legal advice. It does not consider your financial circumstances and objectives and may not be suitable for you.” [03:14]
This detailed summary encapsulates the core discussions, insights, and strategic recommendations presented by Mike Wilson in the "Thoughts on the Market" podcast episode. It provides a comprehensive overview for listeners and investors seeking to understand the interplay between geopolitical risks and market resilience, along with actionable investment strategies based on current economic indicators.