Market Selloff on Geopolitical Tensions, Oil Spike, and Weak Treasury Auctions
On Thursday, March 26, Brian Szytel reports a broad market selloff (Dow down over 400 points, S&P down ~1.5%, Nasdaq down ~2%) driven by rotation out of AI/social-media tech and into energy and staples as Brent and WTI oil rise over 4% amid U.S.-Iran tensions and Strait of Hormuz disruptions. He notes the disruption also affects helium transport, with 27% of global helium transiting the strait and Taiwan sourcing about 69% of its helium that way, posing potential chip-production risks if prolonged. He outlines a U.S. “15-point plan” for Iran and warns failed negotiations could escalate, including actions on Iranian energy assets and possible ground troop deployment. Bonds also sell off after three weak Treasury auctions, pushing the 10-year yield up about 10 bps. He advises against trading around geopolitical events and explains WTI is globally priced. Initial jobless claims were 210,000, with muted labor-market activity.
00:00 Market Selloff Recap
00:41 Oil Surge and Strait Risks
01:00 Helium and Chip Supply Threat
02:05 US Iran 15 Point Plan
03:15 Bonds Slide and Yields Jump
03:39 Don’t Trade Geopolitics
04:19 Who Sets WTI Prices
05:17 Jobless Claims Check In
05:59 Wrap Up and Sign Off
Links mentioned in this episode: DividendCafe.com
Brian Szytel is the Co-CIO and Senior Managing Director of The Bahnsen Group.
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