KIC Hosts 'New York Finance Professionals Forum' to Discuss U.S. Stock Market with Local Experts

"Trump's Volatility Is Not a Bug, But a Feature...
Increase Allocation to Defensive Stocks"

Korea Investment Corporation (KIC) hosted an event in New York, inviting Korean-American finance professionals and local investment experts to discuss the U.S. stock market following President Donald Trump's reciprocal tariff policy.

KIC announced on the 29th that its New York branch held the 20th 'New York Finance Professionals Forum' at the Consulate General of the Republic of Korea in New York on the 28th (local time).

Irene Tunkel, Chief U.S. Equity Strategist at BCA Research, who gave the main presentation, stated, "During Trump's presidency, volatility was not a 'bug' but a 'feature.'" She added, "Although the recent decline in the stock market after the reciprocal tariff announcement has increased investment appeal, the negative impact of tariff hikes on corporate earnings and fundamentals has yet to materialize or be fully reflected."

She went on to say, "As tariffs become a reality, corporate earnings may deteriorate and stock price multiples may decrease in the future." She emphasized that, from this perspective, increasing the proportion of defensive stocks could be an effective strategy. She cited utilities and pharmaceuticals as representative defensive sectors.

BCA Research is a research institute founded in 1949. It serves over 2,000 institutional investors and asset management firms in more than 70 countries, providing a wide range of investment strategies based on global macroeconomic analysis.

Lee Kyungtaek, head of KIC's New York branch, remarked, "This was a meaningful opportunity to assess the U.S. stock market, which has shown significant volatility since the announcement of reciprocal tariffs, and to discuss future investment strategies." He added, "We will continue to create opportunities to enhance the financial competitiveness of Korean institutional investors."