March 26, 2026
Markets:
U.S. stock futures fell on Thursday, weighed by higher oil prices, as traders followed the latest developments out of the Middle East.
Crude prices rose on Thursday, putting pressure on equities. Brent futures jumped 3.8% to $106.07 per barrel. West Texas Intermediate futures climbed 3.5% to $93.45.
Oil is the new VIX?!? And we all know thats so temporary.
President Donald Trump said in a Truth Social post that Iran “better get serious soon, before it is too late, because once that happens, there is NO TURNING BACK, and it won’t be pretty.” Trump also labeled Iranian negotiators as “very different” and “strange,” claiming they were “begging” the U.S. to make a deal to end the now four-week war.
This comes after Iran’s foreign minister reportedly told state media on Wednesday that top authorities in the Middle Eastern nation are reviewing an American proposal to end the war, but Tehran has no intention of having talks with the U.S.
Meanwhile, Gulf countries issued a joint statement Thursday condemning Iran’s “criminal” strikes on their energy infrastructure. They added that they are ready to defend themselves going forward.
Jobless claims edge higher, continuing claims lowest since May 2024. Initial unemployment claims rose as expected last week while a longer-term measure hit its lowest level in nearly two years, the Labor Department reported Thursday.
Portfolio:
We head into this new trading day locked in and ready, holding one setup in ONDS while watching SPY and QQQ levels like hawks. The last four weeks have been an absolute roller coaster, no doubt about it — draining, choppy, and headline-driven — but this is almost the exact same pattern we saw during the tariff period at this same time last year. Markets shake, sentiment gets tested, and then the opportunity shows up for those who stay disciplined and patient.
On the geopolitical side, headlines continue to fly. Trump stated Iran appears willing to negotiate an agreement to end the nearly four-week conflict, while Iran’s foreign minister pushed back, saying they are reviewing a U.S. proposal but have no intention of negotiating an end to the fighting. Reports even suggest a senior political-security official told Press TV that Iran formally rejected the American proposal and will dictate the terms and timing of any conclusion. In other words — mixed signals everywhere. It feels like there are two different narratives coming out at the same time, which is exactly why headlines are swinging markets back and forth daily. Eventually, a resolution will come — and when it does, the market will respond fast.
Here’s the exciting part….
There are outstanding names and sectors quietly setting up underneath all this noise. They are building, holding levels, and showing strength even in a messy environment. When this market opens up, we could see several brand-new leaders emerge, and those early positioning opportunities are what create massive returns.
As many of you know, we focus heavily on market cycles and timing, and historically we’ve been very dialed in on these transition periods. The cycle that comes after this Iran conflict — once uncertainty clears and capital flows back into growth and momentum — has the potential to be one of those powerful runs that can deliver a year’s worth of returns in a short window.
Right now it’s about patience, positioning, and preparation. Be patient here!
Because when this breaks open… it’s going to move fast.