Recent market movements following Trump's tariff announcements

When uncertainty hits and markets fall, we know it’s hard to sit and watch your account balance go down. This recent instability is largely due to President Trump's announcement of new tariffs at the start of April.

These tariffs are taxes on imports, including a 10% baseline tariff on all imports, with higher rates for specific countries like China and the European Union. Trump’s goal is to protect US industries by making imported goods more expensive, but it also risks sparking a trade war, which can disrupt global trade and economic growth.

We anticipate a period of increased market volatility as these tariffs take effect and other countries plan their responses. The ongoing uncertainty is likely to cause more fluctuations than usual. 

We understand you may be worried, but it's important to remember that markets go both up and down. Changing your investment fund now could cost you, as you might miss out on any rebound when markets recover. Trying to time the market can lead to buying high and selling low, which can hurt your long-term returns.

Instead, stay focused on your long-term goals and continue making regular contributions if you can. Just make sure you're in the right fund for your  life stage and investment objectives.

In times like these, it's crucial to stay the course and avoid panic reactions. While market declines can be unsettling, history has shown that periods of volatility are a normal part of investing. Diversification helps mitigate risk, and holding quality investments with strong fundamentals can weather economic downturns. Active managers like ANZ Investments view market corrections as opportunities to buy quality assets at more attractive prices.

If you’re still worried about your investments, we have some useful resources to help you out. Find tips on how to deal with the ups and downs in markets, and some of the other ways we’re managing your investments on our Investing 101 page.