CEO Conference Examines Portfolio Risk Strategies

Dilhan Pillay Sandrasegara and Ray Dalio discuss navigating economic uncertainty at the 2026 Forbes Global CEO Conference.

Updated on Oct. 15, 2026 in Investing

CEO Conference Examines Portfolio Risk Strategies

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Is now a good time to prioritize asset liquidity over long-term investment growth?

Investment leaders at the 2026 Forbes Global CEO Conference outlined strategies for managing capital amidst global instability. Temasek Holdings and Bridgewater Associates leaders highlighted the importance of liquidity and diversification as primary defense mechanisms.

Why it matters

The discussion underscores how global investors are recalibrating their holdings to withstand rising interest rates and geopolitical shifts. By prioritizing cash buffers, firms aim to maintain agility during periods of potential market disorder.

Temasek Holdings currently maintains 50 percent of its total portfolio in liquid assets. To reduce risk by 80 percent, Ray Dalio recommends holding 10 to 15 uncorrelated return streams.

The players

Dilhan Pillay Sandrasegara

He serves as the CEO of Temasek Holdings, a Singapore-based investment company.

Ray Dalio

He is the founder of Bridgewater Associates, one of the world's largest hedge funds.

The details

Temasek managing director Dilhan Pillay Sandrasegara noted the firm divested a major Asian data-centre operator due to shifting technology and interest rate risks. Ray Dalio emphasized that investors must navigate a recurring cycle of debt, internal conflict, and geopolitical tension to protect capital.

Timeline

  1. October 2026: Forbes Global CEO Conference took place.

  2. 2023-2026: Temasek increased its portfolio liquidity.

  3. One year prior to October 2026: Temasek divested a leading Asian data-centre operator.

  4. Post-1945: The era of the multilateral world order defined global economic interactions.

  5. 1960s to 1980s: A previous period characterized by wars and economic shocks.

Market Dynamics

The strategies discussed mark a departure from the stability associated with the post-1945 multilateral world order. By preparing for a period of great disorder, investors are shifting away from historical assumptions of a globally unified economic environment.

Retail investors can apply these principles by increasing cash holdings to improve their ability to respond to market shifts. Maintaining a diversified portfolio across uncorrelated assets may also provide a buffer against sudden economic shocks.

The takeaway

Focusing on liquidity and diversification serves as a critical defense when navigating unpredictable economic cycles. Investors should prioritize asset resilience as a hedge against the potential for global disorder.

Further reading

Learn more about asset management strategies in our Investing section.

Source note: This article includes information reported by Tabla.

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Is now a good time to prioritize asset liquidity over long-term investment growth?