Market Update: Venezuela headlines - what investors should focus on

2026 started with a geopolitical bang. Over the weekend, the Trump administration intervened in Venezuela to depose its leader, Nicolás Maduro.

What markets are saying - so far

As of midday Monday, 5 January Singapore time, markets have so far looked past the event. Major Asian equity markets were up, and US equity futures were broadly flat to slightly higher. VIX futures, a measure of market volatility, have eased rather than spiked.

What could happen in the days and months ahead

Geopolitics rarely follow a straight line, and it remains too early to draw firm conclusions on how they will ultimately play out. 

For now, risk assets – particularly equities – remain anchored to broader macro drivers such as interest rates, growth expectations, and structural themes like AI, rather than near-term political or geopolitical noise. That focus could shift, however, if developments begin to materially affect economic fundamentals. 

By contrast, gold should continue to act as an effective portfolio diversifier, particularly amid elevated fiscal and geopolitical risks.

For more, read our 2026 Macro Outlook: Just the FACTs

Our longer-term view

Rather than reacting to headlines, we believe the most reliable approach is to remain invested in a globally diversified portfolio, supported by systematic investing habits such as dollar-cost averaging. This helps smooth entry points and reduces the risk of making emotional decisions during periods of uncertainty.

No matter what happens in the months ahead, the foundations of long-term portfolio outcomes - diversification, discipline, and staying invested - remain unchanged.