Volatility, Vision and Value: Highlights from APFIS 2025

The Asia Pacific Financial and Innovation Symposium (APFIS) 2025 convened on 25 March 2025 at the Crown, bringing together a distinguished assembly of global financial leaders, policymakers and industry experts. The Symposium explored the evolving financial landscape, emphasised innovation, investment strategies and discussed the challenges posed by current geopolitical dynamics.

APFIS 2025 Key Highlights

Market Volatility and Investment Strategies

Mark Delaney, Chief Investment Officer of AustralianSuper, addressed the challenges of market fluctuations influenced by U.S. trade policies under the current Administration. He noted that the Fund had anticipated such volatility, stating, "Last year, some of our team wrote a paper saying that they thought the first six months of the Trump Presidency was likely to introduce considerable volatility. It’s turned out exactly that way." Delaney emphasised that despite short-term market reactions, the underlying economic conditions remained stable, allowing the Fund to manage these fluctuations effectively.

Private Equity Opportunities

Jon Gray, President of Blackstone, discussed the challenges Australian superannuation funds face in accessing private equity secondary markets. He highlighted regulatory constraints that prioritise costs over net returns, limiting these funds' participation in lucrative secondary markets. Gray expressed concern about this focus on cost, suggesting it could lead to adverse selection in investment strategies.

Technological Innovation and AI

The Symposium also delved into the impact of artificial intelligence on financial markets. Discussions centered around the transformative potential of AI technologies and the necessity for investment portfolios to adapt to these advancements. The emergence of competitors like China's DeepSeek was noted as a factor contributing to market volatility, prompting investors to consider the implications of AI integration in financial services.

APFIS 2025 served as a critical forum for addressing pressing issues in the financial sector, particularly in light of geopolitical tensions and rapid technological change. The insights shared by industry leaders provided valuable perspectives on managing investments in a volatile global landscape, reinforcing the Symposium's role as a significant event in the financial and superannuation industries.

APFIS 2026 planning is underway – more announcements coming soon!