I guess if you take away the worst case scenario, that's actually helpful for lower oil prices. A couple of things to consider, though. One, Ali McCrossin RBC said over the weekend that she would caution against that knee jerk reaction that, quote, The worst is behind us.Now, the other factor to consider here, irrespective of the supply issue that may or may not happen with Iran is the demand side. So there's been a lot of stockpiling by China, a lot of stockpiling by other countries within the West as well ...

Geopolitical Risks & Market Impact - U S airstrikes on Iranian nuclear sites have heightened geopolitical risks, leading to concerns about potential Iranian retaliation and supply disruptions in the Middle East [1][2][5][16] - Oil prices initially spiked nearly 6%, but gains were later pared down to 1 4%, with Brent crude trading at $78 per barrel, reflecting market uncertainty regarding Iran's response [4][16] - The market is focused on whether Iran will disrupt shipping in the Strait of Hormuz, a crucial route for approximately 1/5 of the world's crude oil output [1][17] - Risk-off sentiment is observed across equity markets, with European futures down by 0 5% and similar trends in Asia, while the U S dollar gains amid concerns about escalation [2][57] - Gold prices are slightly weaker, down 0 2%, despite its traditional safe-haven status, indicating the primary focus remains on oil price volatility and potential retaliation [5][58] Potential Iranian Responses - Iran reserves the right to protect its people and sovereignty, with the possibility of a targeted response, such as striking U S military sites within the GCC [9][11] - Disrupting shipping in the Strait of Hormuz is another option, but it could be self-destructive for Iran's oil exports [12] - Iran may consider leaving the Non-Proliferation Treaty to signal its resolve to develop nuclear weapons [12] U S Objectives & International Reactions - The U S claims the strikes significantly set back Iran's uranium enrichment capabilities, but independent analysis is pending [6] - The U S asserts the mission was a precise attack on nuclear sites, not an attack on the Iranian people or a regime change move [6][31] - European leaders are calling for de-escalation and diplomacy, emphasizing that Iran should never be permitted to acquire nuclear weapons [50][51] - There are concerns among the international community about whether the U S airstrikes constitute a preemptive or preventative strike under international law [52][53] Long-Term Implications & Analysis - The location of 400 kilograms of highly enriched uranium in Iran is unknown, raising concerns about the effectiveness of military action alone in eliminating the nuclear threat [15][37] - The debate continues regarding the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), with some arguing it capped Iran's nuclear ambitions, while others criticize its expiration date and failure to address ballistic missiles and terrorism [41][42] - Some analysts suggest the U S should support regime change in Iran, but emphasize it must come from the Iranian people, not external intervention [44][45][46]

Market Risk & Insurance Adjustments - Insurers are actively assessing and adjusting terms and conditions to account for existing and potential risks in regions like the Red Sea and the Strait of Hormuz [1][2][3] - The number of Western ships transiting the Red Sea has noticeably decreased, reflecting heightened risk awareness [2] - Marine insurance rates in the region have already increased significantly, with shippers paying 60% more than a month ago [5] - Aviation insurance is also likely to rise, with potential exclusion of certain Middle East and North Africa zones from reinsurance coverage, possibly leading to flight cancellations [5] Coverage & Potential Losses - Insurers offer solutions like war risk or political risk coverage, including contingent business interruption insurance for financial losses due to geopolitical disruptions [3] - Major players like Lloyd's of London syndicates, CHUB, AIG, Alons, AXA, Swiss Re, Munich Re, and Everest Group have exposure to these risks [4] - Cyber insurance policies often exclude state-sponsored attacks, potentially leading to costly litigation if insurers deny claims [6] Supply Chain & Trade Flow Impacts - Disruptions to cargo transportation routes, airspace, and canal access significantly affect global supply chains and trade flows, creating both challenges and potential opportunities for insurance [6][7] - The cost for an oil tanker has surged to approximately $100,000 per day, a significant increase from $24,000 just 12 days prior, with expectations it could rise further to $150,000 [7] Behavioral Changes - Some shippers are proactively changing routes to avoid higher premiums, and similar behavioral changes are anticipated in aviation [8]

I don't know what you think the probability is of Iran actually doing what they threatened to many times before and never have done choking off the strait entirely. But do they have potentially just as disruptive secondary options available to them. When we think about all of the energy infrastructure in this region.Great. Yeah, no, thank you. It's great to be with you.I think Iran will be very cautious and careful about attempting to fully disrupt the 18 to 20 million barrels a day of oil, 20% of traded LN ...

are finding ways to mitigate some of the impact on consumers. >> Let's get reaction from our guest, Charles Schwab senior investment strategist Kevin Gordon. Kevin, good to have you here.So you heard Daly saying things look good. Now, you've also talked in the past about the impact policy uncertainty is having on business confidence. How do you see that playing out in the markets for the rest of the summer.>> Yeah. Well, so far I mean the uncertainty has been more on the, you know, survey based side of thin ...

Report Summary 1. Report Industry Investment Rating There is no information about the industry investment rating in the provided content. 2. Core View of the Report The medium- to long-term trend of precious metals is expected to be bullish. In the short term, with the need to wait for interest rate cuts, no escalation of geopolitical risks, and trade tariff negotiations not entering a sensitive period, the overall market is expected to remain in a high-level oscillation. Short-term corrections are regarded as medium- to long-term buying opportunities [4]. 3. Summary by Relevant Catalogs 3.1 Market Conditions - On Thursday, the precious metals market showed gold oscillation and silver adjustment. The COMEX gold 2508 contract closed at $3387.4 per ounce, down 0.61%; the US silver 2507 contract closed at $36.36 per ounce, down 1.5%. The SHFE gold 2508 main contract closed at 781.24 yuan per gram, down 0.49%; the SHFE silver 2508 contract closed at 8819 yuan per kilogram, down 1.91% [2]. 3.2 Interest Rate Cut Expectations and Fund Holdings - According to CME's "FedWatch" data, the probability of the Fed keeping interest rates unchanged in July is 89.7%, and the probability of a 25-basis-point rate cut is 10.3%. For September, the probability of keeping rates unchanged is 31.7%, the probability of a cumulative 25-basis-point cut is 61.7%, and the probability of a cumulative 50-basis-point cut is 6.7%. In October, the probability of keeping rates unchanged is 15.4%, the probability of a cumulative 25-basis-point cut is 46.3%, the probability of a cumulative 50-basis-point cut is 34.9%, and the probability of a cumulative 75-basis-point cut is 3.4% [3]. - In the long term, the SPDR Gold ETF holdings remained at 947.37 tons, and the iShares Silver ETF holdings remained at 14763 tons. The SHFE silver inventory increased by 14 tons to 1243 tons daily, and the SGX silver inventory increased by 59.6 tons to 1378.9 tons in the week ending June 13 [3]. 3.3 This Week's Focus - The Bank of England's interest rate meeting on Thursday kept the benchmark interest rate at 4.25% unchanged, but the divergence among voting members increased [4]. 3.4 Precious Metals Price and Inventory Data - **Price Data**: The SHFE gold main contract closed at 781.24 yuan per gram, down 4.18 yuan or 0.53%; the SGX gold TD closed at 777.44 yuan per gram, down 4.2 yuan or 0.54%; the CME gold main contract closed at $3387.4 per ounce, up $1 or 0.03%. The SHFE silver main contract closed at 8819 yuan per kilogram, down 226 yuan or 2.5%; the SGX silver TD closed at 8777 yuan per kilogram, down 212 yuan or 2.36%; the CME silver main contract closed at $36.76 per ounce, down $0.42 or 1.13% [4][5]. - **Inventory and Position Data**: The SHFE gold inventory was 18168 kilograms, unchanged; the CME gold inventory was 1175.2202 tons, down 0.009 tons; the SHFE gold position was 161031 lots, down 1390 lots or 0.86%; the SPDR gold position was 947.37 tons, up 1.43 tons or 0.15%. The SHFE silver inventory was 1242.994 tons, up 13.962 tons or 1.14%; the CME silver inventory was 15419.0964 tons, down 26.3768 tons or 0.17%; the SGX silver inventory was 1378.875 tons, up 59.55 tons or 4.51%; the SHFE silver position was 387527 lots, down 58454 lots or 13.11%; the SLV silver position was 14763.000528 tons, up 87.6368 tons or 0.6% [13]. 3.5 Other Market Data - The US dollar index was 98.7857, down 0.066 or 0.07%; the US dollar to RMB exchange rate was 7.19, down 0.002 or 0.03%; the Dow Jones Industrial Average was 42171.66 points, down 44.14 points or 0.1%; WTI crude oil spot was $75.6 per barrel, up $0.46 or 0.61%; LmeS copper 03 was $9619.5 per ton, down $31 or 0.32%; the 10-year US Treasury yield was 4.38%, down 0.01% or 0.23%; the 10-year US real interest rate was 2.07%, down 0.01% or 0.48%; the 10 - 2-year US Treasury yield spread was 0.44%, down 0.01% or 2.22% [17].

Joining me now is Matt Stucky. He's the chief portfolio manager for equities at Northwestern Mutual Wealth Management. And Matt, you know, markets seem to be taking a breather today after yesterday's bounceback.How do you think investors are processing the latest risks here. Not just tariffs and inflation, but now that escalating geopolitical headwinds are on the table, that's another risk that we're going to have to deal with. Well, good morning, Ally.Thanks for having me back. Um yeah, there is no shortag ...

As we head into the close, let's bring in vital knowledge founder Adam Christophi. Adam, uh, great to have you on here. You know, this the market has been in a big picture way kind of hesitating here for a little while.What's your read on what we're contending with and, uh, you know, whether we're refreshing this move higher or it's looking vulnerable. I think it's definitely looking vulnerable. Even before the events in the Middle East, there are just so much risk on the horizon.Um, and we have valuations ...

It's time now for today's strategy session. Riskoff sentiment gripping today's trading action as stocks open in the red, but market momentum holding up some stocks trading near record highs. Can the market continue its rally despite a growing wall of worry for investors.Joining us now, we've got Kenny Pulkari, who is the Slate Stone Wealth chief market strategist. Kenny, one of the things that you and I were talking about in the break and and perhaps is within that wall of worry to a certain extent is the r ...

Geopolitical Risk and Market Sentiment - Investor sentiment is a key factor influencing market reactions, with oil prices and defense stocks showing sensitivity to Middle East developments [1][2] - Market reactions to geopolitical news have become more subtle compared to previous months, indicating a shift from emotional responses to a "buy the news" mentality [2] - Defense stocks, such as RTX, Northrop Grumman, and Halliburton, experienced pre-market gains, suggesting a defensive trade strategy among investors amid geopolitical uncertainty [3][4] - The recent surge in defense stocks is viewed as a knee-jerk reaction to news, with historical trends indicating that such moves may not have long-term impacts [5][6] - Secular trends support defense stocks due to increased defense spending discussions in DC and NATO, but short-term movements are often knee-jerk reactions [7] Tech Sector Performance - The XLK tech ETF, heavily weighted by mega-cap tech companies like Nvidia, Microsoft, and Apple, hit all-time highs, with some components like IBM and Palantir also reaching new highs [8] - Investors tend to gravitate towards tech during technical rallies, viewing it as a defensive sector that performs well in both good and bad times [8][9] - Valuations in the tech sector are extended compared to value sectors and international markets, suggesting a need to consider fundamentals [9] Dollar Weakness and Earnings - A weaker dollar benefits multinational companies' earnings through translation effects and competitive advantages [11][12][13] - Small-cap companies with a domestic focus may not benefit as much from a weaker dollar [11] - The reasons behind dollar weakness are more important than the weakness itself; government actions like selling treasuries or punitive tariffs could negatively impact the dollar [14][15] - A slight dollar weakness from elevated levels can be beneficial for earnings and reflect a leveling out of domestic and foreign earnings [15]