Investing in uncertain times - prudence becomes the new growth strategy; Who wins when markets tremble?

Reporter: How do you see the investment market evolving in the particularly harsh geostrategic and macroeconomic conditions we are currently experiencing? How can external political events influence investment decisions?

Anna Rozanska: The world is a bit messy right now, and that naturally makes investors nervous. We aren't just looking at company profits anymore; we're looking at elections, wars, and trade deals. I see the market moving toward "safety" and "necessity." External politics can cause sudden price drops, but I try not to panic. Instead, I use those moments to look for good companies that are temporarily "on sale" because of political noise that doesn't actually change the company's long-term value.

Reporter: How do you feel as an investor at the moment? What is the market sentiment now?

Anna Rozanska: Honestly, people are being very careful. We've moved past the "get rich quick" phase we saw a few years ago. Most investors I talk to are looking for stability rather than chasing the next big trend. There's a bit of a "wait and see" mood because of high prices and global tension. Personally, I feel calm. I've learned that the market always has cycles of fear and greed; right now, we are in a cycle of caution, which is actually a healthy time to build a portfolio.

Reporter: Were there situations or moments when you withdrew your money from one asset and invested it in another (which assets are losing and which are winning)?

Anna Rozanska: No. Personally, I don't move money between assets just because one is up and one is down. I've withdrawn money from the investments, but that was because I was in profit and I was building a house, so I used profits to fund that. But if I invest in something, I usually invest long-term, so I don't panic when it drops.

Reporter: What was the biggest disappointment, from an investment point of view, in 2025?

Anna Rozanska: The biggest disappointment was how "sticky" inflation turned out to be. We all expected prices to settle down quickly so that interest rates could finally drop. Instead, inflation stayed stubborn for most of the year. For investors, this was frustrating because it felt like the market was stuck in "waiting mode." It was a reminder that the "last mile" of fixing the economy is often the hardest, and it forced many of us to be much more patient with our returns than we originally planned.

Reporter: Which investment areas have caught your attention this year?

Anna Rozanska: I'm focusing on what I call the "Essentials for a Shifting World." This includes Energy (since the world always needs power) and Cybersecurity (to protect our digital lives). Most importantly, I'm looking at Defense stocks. With the ongoing global tensions, countries are significantly increasing their security budgets, which makes this sector a very stable area for long-term growth. Lastly, I'm keeping a close eye on Big Tech-after the recent sell-off, some of the most powerful companies in the world are finally trading at much more attractive prices.

Reporter: What products, tools, service on the platform do you use or find very helpful? What are the most important features an online platform can offer?

Anna Rozanska: The feature I value most is CopyTrader. Whenever I talk to people in Poland about investing, this is the one feature everyone is genuinely interested in. It's a game-changer because it allows people to see exactly how experienced investors are managing their money in real-time. Instead of just reading a theory in a book, you can follow real moves. It builds a sense of community and trust that you just don't find on traditional banking apps.

Reporter: What is your investment strategy for 2026?

Anna Rozanska: My strategy is simple: I use Dollar Cost Averaging (DCA). This means I invest a fixed amount every month. This way, I don't have to worry about whether the market is at a "high" or a "low"-I just keep building my position. However, because tech stocks took a big hit recently, I am looking to be a bit more opportunistic there. I'll be adding more to my favorite tech names while they are "on sale," but my core focus remains on steady, monthly growth.

Reporter: Thank You!