Sean Brodrick – FED Rate Hike Turbulence, Oil Spiking On Geopolitical Flare Ups, Slowing AI Trade Based On Industry Concerns, and Precious Metals Pullback

[Recorded:  09-15-2026]  Sean Brodrick, Editor of Wealth Megatrends, Supercycle Investor, Resource Trader, and contributing analyst to Weiss Ratings Daily, joins me for a wide-ranging discussion diving into the market volatility across multiple resource and general equity sectors in the current macroeconomic and geopolitical environment. He shares how he is managing his portfolio as it relates to oil and oil stocks, AI stocks, cybersecurity stocks, and gold stocks.

 

 

We start off discussing the potential macro and market impacts of the first Fed funds rate hike by the US central bank in a few years.

• While the market had ascribed over a 90% chance of a 25-basis-point hike, through yesterday (when we talked), Sean looks ahead to what that actually means or may achieve for fighting persistently high inflation into the future.
• Higher rates could negatively affect the housing industry, auto loans, business loans, and slow growth to some degree.
• Market participants have already been selling bonds, and driving interest rates higher in anticipation of a higher Fed funds rate, along with pushing back on US fiscal policies.
• There is a “family feud” going on between Kevin Warsh and the Fed working to hike rates on the short end of the yield curve, and Scott Bessent and the US Treasury actively working lower rates on the long end of the yield curve.
• Sean makes the point that even if the Fed hikes interest rates once, or even a few times, it is not really going to change the fundamental oil supply from the Middle East or tame that inflation input as a result of rising energy prices.

 

We then shifted our focus over to the surge higher to triple-digit oil prices, on the back of deepening conflict across the Middle East.

• Sean outlined how technical price projections on longer-term charts could allow for a brief spike in WTI up to $150 a barrel.
• Sean is very comfortable holding onto his oil stocks for now, as they should have a very profitable Q3 on the back of solid Q2 earnings.

 

Next, we unpacked some of the recent slowdown in AI stocks and the pace of advancement, as a few vocal industry participants expressed concerns of losing control of artificial intelligence.

• Sean highlights that while these concerns are valid, that it has ballooned up into a bigger deal than many were expecting over the last couple weeks.
• It may be that real motivation to pump the breaks on the pace of A.I. is because the industry would like to see more government regulation that would discourage cheaper open-source foreign platforms from being adopted domestically.
• He highlights the potential opportunity that restricting or securing against AI threats may present to cybersecurity companies like Palo Alto Networks (Nasdaq: PANW) or CrowdStrike Holdings (Nasdaq: CRWD)

 

Wrapping up, Sean shared his outlook on what fundamentals are driving gold, silver, and the PM stocks down over the last few weeks.

• In addition to more hawkish statements from Kevin Warsh during the Jackson Hole banking symposium a few weeks ago, Sean points out that it was really the higher inflation readings recently that back-stopped the decision for the Fed raise rates.

• He remains cautious that short-term economic data around inflation and a stronger US dollar could still trigger some more near-term selling pressure, but he also shares the reasons why he believes this move in the precious metals complex could have legs to begin the next run higher in the medium term. 
• Sean is still mostly animated by revenue-generating gold and silver producers, and will be scanning across the field of companies at the upcoming Beaver Creek Precious Metals Summit for new ideas to report on moving forwards.

 

 

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Investment disclaimer:

This content is for informational and educational purposes only and does not constitute investment advice, an offer, or a solicitation to buy or sell any security. Investing in equities and commodities involves risk, including the possible loss of principal. Do your own research and consult a licensed financial advisor before making any investment decisions. Guests and hosts may own shares in companies mentioned.