Dipan Mehta, Founder Director at Elixir Equities, said top stock and sector picks can guide investors during a market sell-off on CNBC TV18.
This guidance comes as geopolitical instability in the Middle East creates volatility for global indices. Investors are seeking refuge in resilient sectors that can withstand the economic shocks associated with regional warfare.
Mehta discussed trade cues to help navigate the current choppy environment. The volatility is evident in the S&P 500 index, which has fallen about 4.5% [1] since the Middle East war began. According to reports, March 2 [2] served as the first trading day after the conflict commenced.
Despite the recent downturn, broader 2025 data shows significant growth across major U.S. indices. The S&P 500 increased 16.4% [3] in 2025, while the Nasdaq Composite rose 20.4% [4] during the same period. The Dow Jones Industrial Average also saw an increase of 13% [5] in 2025.
Mehta's analysis focused on identifying sectors that are not getting hit by the current market turmoil. By highlighting specific picks, he aims to provide a roadmap for maintaining portfolio stability while the market reacts to the war.
While the short-term trend shows a decline in the S&P 500, the year-to-date gains suggest a strong foundation for the overall market. The focus for traders now shifts toward sectors that demonstrate a decoupling from geopolitical risk, a strategy intended to mitigate losses during the sell-off.
“The S&P 500 index has fallen about 4.5% since the Middle East war started”
The contrast between the 2025 year-to-date growth and the immediate 4.5% dip in the S&P 500 highlights a classic 'risk-off' sentiment. When geopolitical conflict erupts, investors typically rotate out of growth-oriented assets and into defensive sectors. Mehta's focus on resilient picks suggests that while the macro environment is volatile, idiosyncratic sector strength can still provide a hedge against systemic geopolitical shocks.
