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Why Did the Iran War Restart? | Macro Mondays, July 13, 2026

Real Vision: Finance & Investing

36m
Transcript

Original podcast

Summary

Written by a model from the transcript; not yet reviewed.

In this episode of Real Vision's Macro Mondays, host Raoul Pal and guest Andreas discuss the restart of the conflict in Iran, its implications for global oil flows, and upcoming inflation data. They debate the resilience of the semiconductor and memory stock cycle against bearish calls from market commentators, review export and energy data, and evaluate the ongoing US-China strategic decoupling and its impact on critical metal trade bets.

  • Monitor technical price spreads in oil markets rather than headline news to best gauge the actual flow of oil. 5:43
  • Look closely at product refining capacity, such as jet fuel, as a key driver of consumer inflation while the Strait of Hormuz is closed. 8:38
  • Evaluate the underlying spot prices of memory chips to determine if the semiconductor cycle has actually peaked. 18:49
  • Wait for a weaker US dollar and a softer inflation print before adding heavily to strategic metal decoupling trades. 29:30

Chapters

  1. 0:00
    Podcast Introduction and Host Greeting

    The hosts open the episode with light banter and set the stage for the discussion.

  2. 0:55
    Memory Chip Trade Analysis

    They shift focus to the memory chip sector, highlighting recent volatility and potential buying opportunities.

  3. 2:20
    Geopolitical Impact on Strait of Hormuz

    The conversation turns to U.S. intentions in the Strait of Hormuz and how it could disrupt oil flows.

  4. 3:00
    Oil Flow and Market Response

    They analyze current oil flow data, market reactions, and potential gaps in supply.

  5. 9:48
    Inflation Prints and Economic Outlook

    The hosts examine upcoming inflation data and its implications for monetary policy and markets.

  6. 22:06
    Memory Chip Trade Positioning and Outlook

    They review their portfolio exposure to memory chips and forecast the sector’s trajectory.

  7. 24:47
    Strategic Metals and Decoupling Debate

    Discussion of U.S.-China trade tensions over critical metals and the feasibility of decoupling.

  8. 31:38
    Closing Remarks and Upcoming Content

    Hosts wrap up, preview future episodes, and promote Real Vision offerings.

Highlights

  • 2:20

    US Wants to Run Hormuzstory

    Donald Trump declared the ceasefire over and initiated heavy attacks on the IRGC, with news emerging that the US wants to run the Strait of Hormuz.

  • 3:53

    Oil Flow Assessmentdata

    The guest explains that oil flows are better than widely reported, estimating a lack of about 4 million barrels a day which is manageable using strategic reserves.

  • 8:38

    The Real Oil Product Issueinsight

    The guest argues that oil itself is not the primary issue, but rather refined products like jet fuel and diesel due to limited refinery locations outside the strait.

  • 10:22

    Upcoming Inflation Predictiondata

    The guest forecasts a soft inflation print coming in 0.2 percentage points below consensus, predicting headline at 3.7 and core at 2.7.

  • 15:38

    Memory Stock Cycle Debatedebate

    The host and guest discuss the K-curve of hyperscalers and semiconductors, debating whether it is wise to buy memory stocks around peak earnings.

  • 19:32

    South Korean Export Datadata

    The guest points to extraordinary export numbers out of South Korea in June as evidence of massive semiconductor demand, despite a slight July rollover.

  • 25:22

    US-China Decoupling Realityinsight

    The guest notes that despite a recent Beijing ceasefire meeting, US import data for critical metals from China shows the trade relationship remains deeply frosty.

Quotes

  • “I think the big trade that everybody's looking at is the memory stocks.”
    Unnamed speaker · 1:17
  • “We still have time, but, you know, we're still using strategic reserves, both in China and in the US, to fill this gap.”
    Unnamed speaker · 6:59
  • “If it prints soft, it should massively reprise the front end of the curve in the US, because everyone is so concerned about inflation within that committee.”
    Unnamed speaker · 11:36
  • “The trade relationship is as frosty as it's ever been.”
    Unnamed speaker · 25:43
  • Real Vision 1:55–2:12
  • Real Vision 31:38–31:43
  • Real Vision 31:51–32:05

About this episode

Andreas Steno and Mikkel Rosenvold are back with the latest Macro Mondays to discuss the latest escalation in the Middle East and what the impact might be; a slowdown in Korean chip exports and what it tells us about the health of the AI trade; and a worrying new trend in the U. S.-China rivalry. Monarch is the personal finance app that tracks everything – accounts, investments, savings, and spending. Use code REALVISION at Monarch.com to get your first year half off at just $50. Today’s sponsor is Plus500 US. Take your trading to the next level with cross-market contracts, from precious metals to key indices, and more. Whether you’re a seasoned trader in the Futures arena or brand new, Plus500’s user-friendly trading platform offers you the advanced tools, market insights, and quick execution you’ve been looking for. Get started with Plus500 for as little as $100 at https://us.plus500.com. Trading in futures involves the risk of loss. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Transcript

0:00
36:43

5,242 words · 3 speakers

Topics

  • US
  • Europe
  • China
  • Strait of Hormuz
  • France
  • Copenhagen
  • Abu Dhabi
  • Oman

Page updated · transcript and summary are machine-generated