If you woke up this week feeling like the world tilted again, you’re not wrong.
Bombs in the Middle East. Missiles and drones. Oil spiking, then falling. Gold moving. Defense and laser stocks jumping double digits.
In today’s video, Sam Volkering and Nick Hubble break down what’s really happening and, more importantly, what it means for your portfolio.
Is this another “week-long war”… or something longer? Is AI now actively shaping the battlefield? Why did photonics, laser and defense stocks surge so aggressively on Monday? And what does this mean for oil, gas and global energy markets if key supply routes come under pressure?
Here’s the big takeaway:
This isn’t just about oil prices.
It’s about chokepoints like the Strait of Hormuz. Energy security. The fragmentation of commodity markets. And the growing role of AI and drone warfare in changing how conflicts unfold.
When technology changes warfare, markets respond fast.
The moves we saw weren’t random. They were signals.
If you want to understand where capital is flowing and where it could flow next, you’ll want to watch this.
This is one of those moments where geopolitics and markets collide. We can’t control what governments decide to do.
But we can position accordingly.
Watch the discussion.
Then decide how exposed you want to be.
Best,
Sam Volkering
Investment Director, Southbank Investment Research
