Economic data takes backseat to geopolitical risks

The first week of 2016 remains busy as ever as a flurry of data and significant information is set to be released. The ADP report released today, ahead of Friday's Labor Department jobs report, showed U.S. companies adding 257K workers in December, the largest improvement in 12 months. These solid employment figures demonstrate the labor market has no signs of slowing just yet, going into 2016.

"The manufacturing sector continued its slide in December with the ISM PMI Index falling to 48.2. But it is the geopolitical landscape that is dominating the headlines and making investors nervous. Diversification across stocks and bonds helps to smooth the bumps in uncertain markets", says Voya Global Perspective.