Geopolitical Risk Hedging: Strategic Allocation in Defense, Safe-Haven Assets, and Resilient Infrastructure

The global landscape in 2025 is defined by escalating geopolitical tensions, from the protracted Russia-Ukraine conflict to renewed instability in the Middle East. These developments have forced investors to rethink traditional asset allocation strategies, prioritizing resilience over short-term gains. In this context, three asset classes—defense, safe-haven assets, and resilient infrastructure—have emerged as critical tools for hedging against geopolitical risks. This analysis explores their roles, supported by empirical evidence and historical case studies, to outline a strategic framework for investors navigating this volatile era.

Defense: A New Spending Supercycle

The defense sector has become a cornerstone of geopolitical risk mitigation, driven by unprecedented spending increases in both the United States and Europe. According to a report by Morningstar, European defense budgets are projected to reach 22% of global defense spending by 2030, with Germany alone allocating $110 billion in 2025Global Defense Sector: Investment Trends & Advisor Insights^[1]. The U.S. fiscal-year 2026 defense budget, now exceeding $1 trillion, underscores a historic shift toward long-term industrial expansion, including missile defense, space-based surveillance, and shipbuildingHow Global Conflicts and Volatility Are Reshaping Investment^[2].

Historical data reinforces the sector's resilience. During the 2022 invasion of Ukraine, the S&P Aerospace & Defense Select Index rose 12% while the S&P 500 fell 19%Here's How to War-Proof Your Portfolio Amid Mounting Geopolitical Tensions^[3]. Similarly, defense stocks outperformed the broader market by 30% during the Gulf War (1990–1991)Here's How to War-Proof Your Portfolio Amid Mounting Geopolitical Tensions^[3]. This pattern reflects a “flight-to-arms” phenomenon, where investors anticipate increased government procurement amid conflicts. Companies like Lockheed Martin and Rheinmetall have benefited from multiyear contracts, signaling sustained growth potential even as geopolitical tensions evolveGlobal Defense Sector: Investment Trends & Advisor Insights^[1].

Safe-Haven Assets: Gold's Evolving Role

Gold remains a quintessential safe-haven asset, though its dynamics have shifted in 2025. The World Gold Council reported a 16% year-over-year surge in global gold demand in Q1 2025, driven by investment inflows into gold ETFsAsset allocation implications in today’s chaotic world^[4]. However, volatility has increased, with a notable reversal in May 2025 as outflows emerged amid shifting market sentimentHow Global Conflicts and Volatility Are Reshaping Investment^[2].

Gold's performance during geopolitical spikes is well-documented. For instance, the Geopolitical Risk Index (GPR) surging by over 100 units in 2024 correlated with a 2.5% rise in gold pricesAsset allocation implications in today’s chaotic world^[4]. During the 2024 Russia-Ukraine war and Middle East tensions, gold averaged a 1.6% weekly return, outperforming equities, which declined by 0.8%Asset allocation implications in today’s chaotic world^[4]. Central banks have also recognized gold's strategic value, with the 2024 Central Bank Gold Survey attributing 4.3% of gold's return to geopolitical risk factorsAsset allocation implications in today’s chaotic world^[4].

Yet, the U.S. dollar's perceived invulnerability has waned, prompting diversification into gold and other assets. This trend is further amplified by de-dollarisation efforts, as seen in post-2022 sanctions on RussiaHedging geopolitical instability - InvestEngine Insights^[5].

Resilient Infrastructure: The Unseen Hedge

Infrastructure investments, particularly in power generation and data centers, have gained traction as a hedge against geopolitical disruptions. The U.S. power demand is projected to grow at 2.4% annually through 2030, driven by AI adoption and digitalizationInfrastructure in 2025: Megatrends and Mid-Market Opportunities^[6]. Data centers now account for 3% of U.S. power demand, with AI expected to drive this to 8% by 2030Infrastructure in 2025: Megatrends and Mid-Market Opportunities^[6].

Infrastructure's role extends beyond energy. Supply chain resilience has become a priority, with investors favoring mid-market opportunities in logistics and industrial productionInfrastructure in 2025: Megatrends and Mid-Market Opportunities^[6]. For example, during the Gulf War, energy stocks outperformed the S&P 500 by 25%Here's How to War-Proof Your Portfolio Amid Mounting Geopolitical Tensions^[3]. Similarly, European nations are integrating infrastructure investments with defense spending to reduce dependency on external suppliersDefense Spending Could Protect Your Investment Portfolio^[7].

Strategic Allocation: Balancing Risk and Growth

Combining these assets requires a nuanced approach. Academic research suggests that portfolios allocating 15% to gold, 25% to defense stocks, and 10% to infrastructure can achieve optimal risk-adjusted returnsGeopolitical threats, equity returns, and optimal hedging^[8]. For instance, a hypothetical portfolio allocating 30% to government bonds, 25% to defensive stocks, 15% to gold, and 10% each to energy and infrastructure could balance safety with growth potentialHere's How to War-Proof Your Portfolio Amid Mounting Geopolitical Tensions^[3].

Historical case studies validate this strategy. During the 2019 U.S.-China trade dispute, rare earth and defense ETFs outperformed the S&P 500The Geopolitical Hedge Investors Overlook: Rare Earths^[9]. Similarly, in 2022, a diversified portfolio including gold, defense, and infrastructure mitigated losses from market volatilityHedging geopolitical instability - InvestEngine Insights^[5].

Conclusion

The 2025 geopolitical landscape demands a reevaluation of traditional safe-haven paradigms. Defense stocks, gold, and resilient infrastructure offer complementary strengths: defense for growth during spending booms, gold for liquidity and inflation protection, and infrastructure for long-term stability. By adopting a strategic allocation framework, investors can navigate uncertainty while capitalizing on emerging opportunities in a fractured world.