The Fed's Next Move, The Iran Timeline, and Food Inflation? 3/18/26

As fuel costs spike and inflation proves sticky, our panel dissects the delicate balance Jay Powell has to strike in today's Fed decision. Brookings' Michael O'Hanlon on why the killing of more Iranian leadership could backfire. Plus, are higher food prices on the way? Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Orlando Bravo talks uncertainty in private equity, private credit, and software. How will the Fed navigate oil's surging prices as their two-day meeting kicks off? Plus, American Airlines CEO Robert Isom says TSA workers deserved to be paid. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

There’s “no need to worry” about the situation in the Strait of Hormuz according to Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth. Why RBC Capital Markets is playing hide and seek with consumer staples stocks. And one professor’s case for why the Trump Administration needs to tame, not topple, the Islamic Republic.  Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Oil flowing through the Straight of Hormuz is the “only thing that matters in the world,” according to BCA Research. A former NSA and Marine Corps. hacker warns Iran is being much more aggressive in its cyber warfare, and says businesses need to take the threat very seriously. Plus, why the ongoing war could wreak havoc on real estate's key spring season. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

The IEA announced plans to release a record 400 million barrels of oil to help ease the Iran supply disruption, but does that leave some parts of the energy complex at risk? Inflation steady in February, but the Fed will have to reconcile high energy prices in next week's rate decision. Plus, Oracle looks to be in safer waters after its big third quarter beat. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Oil prices post their biggest daily loss since March 2022 after hitting above $119 just two nights prior. Will Oracle's data centers be able to accommodate Nvidia's next-gen chip? Plus, defense stocks have been outperforming the tech trade this year, but is there more room to run? Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Oil prices hit their highest peak since June 2022 before falling back below $100/barrel. Airline stocks take a dip as jet fuel costs surge amid the Iran war. Plus, software beat semis for its best week since April, but can the trade continue this week? Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Crude oil breaks above $90 a barrel for the first time since 2023. The economy lost 92,000 jobs, but rising oil prices leaves the Fed's next moves up in the air. Plus, why Jefferies thinks Oracle's sell-off may be overdone. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

China sets its lowest economic growth target since the 1991, but AIE's Derek Scissors says it's actually on the "high end of reality." The hiring bifurcation between blue- and white-collar jobs.  Plus, stocks under pressure as oil prices keep climbing, but software names buck the downtrend. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

The Mag 7 underperforming recently, but Rosenblatt Securities sees better days ahead. Box CEO Aaron Levie says AI agents will be the biggest users of software in the future. Plus, the Korean Kospi was the best performing stock market in the world last year, but posted its worst day ever amid concerns over the Iran conflict. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.