Market Outlook: Oil volatility drives commodity shift and stock picking
BNN Bloomberg
Oil volatility tied to Iran conflict is driving commodity interest and stock picking opportunities as investors weigh inflation and rate risks.
BNN Bloomberg spoke with Martin Pelletier, senior portfolio manager at Wellington-Altus Private Counsel, about oil volatility, the return of stock dispersion and how rising energy prices could influence inflation, interest rates and investment strategy.
Read the full transcript below:
MERELLA: Markets are watching the war in Iran as uncertainty continues about how long it will last and the intensity of the attacks on Iran and the response from that country. Let’s bring in Martin Pelletier, senior portfolio manager at Wellington-Altus Private Counsel. Thanks for joining us.
MARTIN: You betcha.
MERELLA: Oil well off that $100-plus mark — it was near $120 on the weekend. Do you see the surge being more short-lived, or do you think there could be a bounce back here?
Crude oil stayed above US$100 a barrel on Monday and Gulf countries reported more attacks by Iran as the war entered its third week, while share prices were mixed.
Representatives from Beijing and Washington began their economic and trade talks in Paris on Sunday, Chinese official news agency Xinhua reported.
The impact of the Iran war on fuel prices in Canada may encourage more drivers to go electric, some experts say, but others warn the conflict will drive up prices of "pretty much everything."
The U.S. is temporarily easing some sanctions on Russian oil shipments, reflecting global concerns over sharply higher crude prices due to supply shortages stemming from the Iran war.
The Trump administration this week stepped up its ambitious effort to replace about US$1.6 trillion in lost tariff revenue that was eliminated by the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision to strike down a range of the president’s import taxes.
The Bank of Canada will be balancing a last-minute flood of economic data with uncertainty around trade and war in the Middle East as it prepares to make its second interest rate decision of 2026 this week.
The Trump administration has expanded its trade investigations to 60 countries, including Canada, in an effort to shore up the president’s tariff policies.
Canada has committed to supplying 23.6 million barrels of oil as part of a larger International Energy Agency plan to help stabilize energy markets as the war in the Middle East continues.
Canada’s energy-heavy index may cushion stocks from oil shocks, but rising crude prices could boost inflation and pressure consumers.
Venture Global will proceed with phase 2 of its CP2 liquefied natural gas project in Louisiana, the company said on Friday.
The U.S. is temporarily easing some sanctions on Russian oil shipments, reflecting global concerns over sharply higher crude prices due to supply shortages stemming from the Iran war.
Telus Corp.’s global IT and customer services arm says it’s investigating a breach of its systems.