ASX outlook set for 'paranoia' with 'pockets of outperformance'

Investors are bracing for another year of event-driven volatility on the Australian sharemarket, against a backdrop of subdued growth and earnings.

The 2015-16 financial year would appear difficult to top for the sheer number of market-moving events. The ructions began in August, stemming from China's sharemarket bubble and concerns over its slowing economic growth. On August 24, the S&P/ASX 200 plunged 4.1 per cent.