Strait of Hormuz
By Gustavo Medeiros, Ben Underhill
The Emerging View

The Strait of Hormuz & the Vix shock

Emerging View examines the Strait of Hormuz tail-risk, rising energy prices and supply strains, comparing today’s backdrop with past oil shocks and assessing what the Iran-US conflict could mean for emerging market assets.

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Satellite view of the Strait of Hormuz with white graphic lines representing global shipping lanes and maritime traffic between the Persian Gulf and Gulf of Oman.
Weekly investor research

Market relief as Trump signals progress in Iran negotiations

Trump gave Iran a short Hormuz ultimatum before a brief extension, as Iran hit Qatar’s Ras Laffan. Major central banks held rates with hawkish bias on energy risks, while EM policy diverged amid fuel, trade and election strains.
View across the Strait of Hormuz toward rugged mountains of the Musandam Peninsula in Oman. Small boats rest on the calm water beneath the arid landscape of the northern Arabian Peninsula.
Weekly investor research

Strait of Hormuz disruption enters third week

Oil shock eased as Brent fell back below USD 100, but Hormuz disruption still hit supply and reserves. Brazil retail surprised positively, while Egypt saw record outflows and political strains deepened in Mexico and Brazil.

Latest Insights

Strait of Hormuz
The Emerging View

The Strait of Hormuz & the Vix shock

Emerging View examines the Strait of Hormuz tail-risk, rising energy prices and supply strains, comparing today’s backdrop with past oil shocks and assessing what the Iran-US conflict could mean for emerging market assets.
Satellite view of the Strait of Hormuz with white graphic lines representing global shipping lanes and maritime traffic between the Persian Gulf and Gulf of Oman.
Weekly investor research

Market relief as Trump signals progress in Iran negotiations

Trump gave Iran a short Hormuz ultimatum before a brief extension, as Iran hit Qatar’s Ras Laffan. Major central banks held rates with hawkish bias on energy risks, while EM policy diverged amid fuel, trade and election strains.
View across the Strait of Hormuz toward rugged mountains of the Musandam Peninsula in Oman. Small boats rest on the calm water beneath the arid landscape of the northern Arabian Peninsula.
Weekly investor research

Strait of Hormuz disruption enters third week

Oil shock eased as Brent fell back below USD 100, but Hormuz disruption still hit supply and reserves. Brazil retail surprised positively, while Egypt saw record outflows and political strains deepened in Mexico and Brazil.
Oil refinery plant.
Weekly investor research

USD100 oil puts EM outperformance on hold

Oil rose above $100 as Middle East tensions escalated. US payrolls missed badly, China stayed productivity-focused, Indonesia’s outlook was cut, Argentina passed labour reforms, and Poland trimmed rates despite inflation risks.
Globe map showing the Middle East.
Weekly investor research

Weeks when decades happen

Reports say US/Israel struck Iran, killing Khamenei; oil +10% but markets calm. CNY travel record, spending middling; Koreans buy local stocks. Argentina labour reform passed; inflation beat in BR/MX/US; IMF reviews ok in Egypt.
Close-up river stream in forest.
The Emerging View

Flows to EM: The end of the beginning

As emerging market (EM) outperformance extends, investors are now frequently asking us about flows to EM assets. In this month’s Emerging View, we review data from Morningstar which confirms our answer: that net inflows have become a reality only since H2
Cityscape night view of Seoul, South Korea at sunset time.
Weekly investor research

Flows to EM assets pick up steam as Korean exports surge

EM inflows keep accelerating; Korean tech exports jump. US tariff uncertainty returns after IEEPA ruling; Fed minutes stay cautious with core PCE elevated. China to offer zero tariffs to 53 African countries from 1 May.
Artificial Intelligence chatbot assistant glowing on modern futuristic technology background.
Weekly investor research

AI driving EM stocks up and US stocks down

US data still suggests a “Goldilocks” backdrop as inflation cools; risk sentiment is shaky on AI fears but EM equities remain resilient. In EM, Brazil’s Lula has slipped to 45% approval and Mexico’s central bank held rates at 7.00% with a dovish tilt.
Blue lake on a snowy mountains background and cloudy sky Torres del paine
The Emerging View

Latin America: Monroe Doctrine 2.0 amid a transition to the right

With politics shifting back towards the market-friendly right, earnings growth improving and the outlook for commodities becoming structurally bullish given the ongoing arms race for AI, defence and energy, Latin America is again back on investors’ radars
Beautiful night scene of tokyo skyline
Weekly investor research

USD weakness, JPY strength and more EM outperformance

Yen surged on US Treasury activity amid benign US inflation. India-EU trade and Colombia/Chile fiscal reforms highlight EM shifts. Global diplomacy saw US-Ukraine-Russia talks, while Fitch boosted Türkiye and Gabon resumed IMF engagement.
Colourful houses at sunset in the capital of Greenland, Nuuk.
Weekly investor research

Greenland, tariffs, and yet another case for EU capital repatriation

Trump threatens 10% tariffs on goods from 8 European nations from 1 Feb, rising to 25% by 1 Jun unless Greenland sale talks advance. China posts record surplus; FX flows hint USD weakening. US CPI softer; Argentina/Brazil updates; UAE assets up 23%.
Seoul City skyline
Weekly investor research

Rising geopolitical risks, resilient EM equity performance

EM assets keep outperforming as US jobs data softens. Powell faces DOJ subpoena. Trump ordered Fannie/Freddie to buy $200bn MBS, pushing 30y yields down. Iran protests lifted oil; US shielded Venezuela funds; Argentina $3bn repo; Japan snap poll talk.