Veteran fund manager Aashish P. Somaiyaa, CEO of WhiteOak Capital Asset Management, has offered a clear perspective to investors navigating recent market turbulence. Drawing on nearly three decades of experience, Somaiyaa asserts that while the current market pain of 2025-26 may feel severe, it aligns with historical patterns of stress rather than representing an entirely new crisis.
He highlights that recurring cycles of volatility are often driven by geopolitics, fluctuating oil prices, and macroeconomic uncertainty. Despite the specific triggers changing over time, the broader market script for long-term investors remains familiar.
Understanding Market Cycles
Somaiyaa notes that the anxieties haunting investors today—such as geopolitical tensions, oil price shocks, and weak macro sentiment—have manifested in various forms across past downturns. “The intensity and the story changes a little bit, but the plot doesn’t change too much,” he remarked, underscoring that markets consistently test conviction before rewarding discipline.
He places the 2025-26 period alongside other significant stress phases, including 1998-2002, 2008-09, 2012-13, 2019-20, and parts of 2022-23. This historical context suggests that current market anxiety fits a familiar pattern, rather than an unprecedented template.
A Window for Measured Risk-Taking
A key insight from Somaiyaa’s outlook is his timing assessment. He suggests that “in the next three to six months, it will be time to venture out and take some risks.” This is not a blanket endorsement for aggressive investing but a signal that prolonged periods of market stress often enhance the probability of future returns.
His remarks align with a broader investment strategy that sees large-cap stocks becoming relatively more attractive following a painful correction. Investors who may have become overly concentrated in small and mid-cap segments might consider rebalancing their portfolios.
Discipline Over Prediction
Somaiyaa’s investment philosophy emphasizes endurance and adaptability over perfect market forecasting. He stresses that successful investors learn to negotiate uncertainty rather than demand absolute certainty, a framework particularly relevant when macro risks dominate sentiment.
For retail and high-net-worth investors approaching the new Samvat (Hindu financial year), the implication is clear: market leadership may shift, volatility could persist, and event risks may remain elevated. However, history, in Somaiyaa’s view, favors those who maintain “sensible asset allocations and continuous investments.”
“This too shall pass,” Somaiyaa concluded, offering a crucial reminder for investors during corrections. He added that when market turbulence subsides, those who have held their nerve and invested prudently will ultimately emerge as winners.
Disclaimer: This article provides general market commentary and should not be construed as investment advice. Readers are encouraged to consult a qualified financial advisor before making any investment decisions.