Episode
War, Oil and Market Volatility: The Iran Conflict Explained
- Podcast
- The Art of Investing
- Published
- Mar 6, 2026
- Duration seconds
- 4517
- Processing state
not_requested- Canonical source
- https://share.transistor.fm/s/0eded674
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Summary
This week on The Art of Investing, Rich McDonald, Mark “Spice” Holden and Chris “CJ” Fellingham unpack a volatile week as geopolitical tensions, banking sector nerves and shifting energy policy collide.Despite rising uncertainty, from renewed conflict fears to credit market concerns, the portfolio remains resilient. The team discuss whether markets are overreacting, why bank stocks sold off, and what investors should focus on during volatility.They revisit lessons from past geopolitical shocks and explain why disciplined portfolio construction matters more than reacting to headlines.Expect sharp macro insight and a clear breakdown of how the team are thinking about risk right now. This Week’s Highlights:⚠️ Credit Crisis Fears?Bank stocks fall as markets briefly price in tighter credit conditions.🌍 Geopolitics Back in FocusRising tensions bring geopolitical risk back to markets.🇷🇺 Lessons from RussiaRevisiting the 2022 collapse in Russian assets and its lessons.⛽ Energy Policy ConfusionGovernments tax oil producers while calling for more supply.📉 Market Volatility ReturnsSector swings highlight diversification.🧠 Staying Rational in TurbulenceWhy reacting emotionally to headlines often backfires. Portfolio Snapshot:Weekly performance: –2.1%Total return since inception: +16.6% Top Performers 🥇 VanEck Crypto & Blockchain Innovators ETF: +4.0% 🥈 Cash: +0.1% 🥉 iShares UK Gilts 0–5yr ETF: –0.1% Underperformers 📉 iShares Core MSCI EM IMI ETC: –5.7% 📉 iShares Nikkei 225 ETF: –5.1% 📉 BlackRock World Mining Trust PLC: –5.0% Portfolio Positioning:The portfolio remains positioned toward:• Commodities and real assets• Global equities beyond US mega-cap concentration• Select small and mid-cap exposure• Defensive allocations including gilts and cashThe aim remains building a diver…