deVere Group CEO: “Volatility Isn’t the Enemy, Inaction Is”

As markets worldwide reel from a sharp and sudden sell-off, deVere Group CEO Nigel Green has urged investors to stay focused and act strategically rather than retreat from risk. His comments come after a turbulent Monday session that wiped trillions from global equity markets.

European stocks recorded steep losses, with Germany’s DAX falling more than 9.5% and the Stoxx 600 registering one of its sharpest single-day declines since early 2020. In the U.S., technology giants shed over $1 trillion in market capitalization, while Asian markets extended losses following a new wave of tariffs that disrupted supply chains across China, Vietnam, Cambodia, and Sri Lanka.

The sell-off was triggered by former President Donald Trump’s announcement of sweeping new tariffs. China responded with 34% duties on U.S. goods, while the European Union threatened additional countermeasures if talks fail. Markets responded with broad-based risk aversion.

“History teaches us that when others panic, opportunity is created”

Nigel Green, CEO of the global financial advisory firm deVere Group, commented, “History teaches us that when others panic, opportunity is created. Savvy investors understand that volatility is part of the price you pay for superior long-term returns.”

Green acknowledged the speed and scope of the market drop, but cautioned against knee-jerk reactions. He said that although investor sentiment is shaken, recoveries often begin when confidence is still low. “Those who stay invested and act strategically during times like these are consistently the ones who reap the biggest rewards,” he said.

While Green made clear that complacency is not an option, he emphasized the importance of adjusting portfolios based on fundamentals. “This is not the time for complacency or guesswork. We’re entering a period where quality, diversification, and resilience will define success,” he said.

According to Green, companies with strong financials, global business models, and pricing power will be better positioned to weather trade-related pressures. He also pointed to geographic diversification as a way to reduce exposure to the fallout from tariff escalation. “It’s about tilting portfolios intelligently toward strength, not sitting frozen in fear,” he said.

The deVere chief executive warned that holding cash, while often perceived as a safe option, carries its own risks. “Holding cash may feel safe, but it is not a long-term strategy. Inflation relentlessly erodes the real value of money, and missing the market’s sharpest rebound days can have devastating effects on long-term portfolio performance.”

Green pointed to historical data showing that outsized gains often occur during periods of maximum uncertainty. “The idea that waiting for perfect stability will somehow protect investors is a costly illusion. Real wealth is created by staying engaged and positioning wisely.”

He also warned that ongoing political moves around trade policy would likely maintain high levels of market volatility. “While Trump’s tough stance on trade is likely to keep markets choppy for the rest of the year, volatility itself can be a powerful ally for disciplined investors […] Volatility isn’t the enemy of wealth creation, inaction is,” Green added.

As trade tensions, geopolitical shifts, and inflation risks continue to influence the global outlook, Green said that investors must become more tactical and better informed. “It’s during periods of market stress that the seeds of the next cycle are sown. Wealth is built not by hiding from uncertainty, but by engaging with it intelligently and decisively.”

He concluded that market dislocations are not merely threats but also sources of opportunity for those positioned correctly. “As the global economy adjusts to a more fragmented trade environment, capital will increasingly flow toward the strongest, most adaptable assets. Investors with the right strategy and expert advice will be able to identify these new winners early.”