Markets on Edge: Oil and AI Crosscurrents

Show from 03/13/26 Host Jeremy Schwartz and the WisdomTree team begin the episode discussing the surge in oil prices tied to tensions in the Middle East and how higher energy costs could affect consumers, transportation, and global supply chains. They also examine stress signals in private credit markets, the divergence between private equity firms and the broader S&P 500, and the recent rotation away from mega-cap tech despite improving valuations. The group closes the segment with a discussion on emerging AI themes like agentic AI and robotics, semiconductor capacity constraints, and how investors may rebalance portfolios after energy’s strong performance while looking for opportunities in areas like Japan, industrials, and consumer discretionary. (31:51) Professor Siegel joins Jeremy to share his outlook on the recent oil shock and its impact on markets, noting that while higher gasoline prices may weigh on sentiment and cause short-term volatility, real oil prices remain near long-term averages. He also explains why the Federal Reserve is unlikely to react to a supply-driven oil shock, expects policy to remain on hold for now, and reiterates his long-term optimism for equities and the continued growth of AI. WisdomTree: https://www.wisdomtree.com/investments