IndiView: Weekly Market Update (3/16/26)

Below is a summarized transcript of the IndiView: Weekly Market Update for 3/16/26. The video is included at the bottom of this post.

Markets continue to react to several crosscurrents right now, including oil price volatility, stubborn inflation data, and some surprising performance in parts of the technology sector. In this week’s IndiView update, we look at what’s moving markets and what long-term investors should keep in mind.

Oil Volatility Is Driving Markets

Oil prices have been moving sharply with geopolitical developments involving Iran, and markets have been reacting almost in real time. When oil spikes toward or above the $100 level, markets tend to struggle, and when it pulls back, markets have rebounded. Despite the volatility, we’re still only about five percent off all-time highs, which isn’t enough of a correction to call this a clear buying opportunity. For now, the environment still favors staying balanced rather than aggressively chasing risk.

Inflation and the Fed Outlook

Recent CPI and PCE readings came in mixed but reinforced the same story: inflation remains stubbornly above the Federal Reserve’s target. With that backdrop, the Fed is widely expected to hold rates steady at the upcoming meeting. At the same time, economic data is softening somewhat, including a downward revision to fourth-quarter GDP. If growth continues to weaken later this year, it could create pressure for rate cuts in the second half—but for now the Fed appears firmly in wait-and-see mode.

The Rally in Memory Chip Stocks

One of the more surprising market stories has been the enormous rally in memory chip companies tied to AI demand. Names like Western Digital, Micron, and Seagate have delivered massive returns over the past year—outperforming NVIDIA during that period. However, memory chip businesses have historically been extremely cyclical, with big booms often followed by sharp reversals when supply cycles change. Investors who own these stocks should understand the nature of those cycles and be mindful of how quickly sentiment can shift.

A Fun Tournament With a Tough Ending

Finally, the World Baseball Classic has been a great tournament to watch, including a tense USA vs. Dominican Republic matchup that ended 2–1. The final pitch was a missed call that appeared well below the zone, which made for a controversial ending to an otherwise excellent game. Even so, the energy and enthusiasm around the tournament have been a reminder of how much fun baseball can be.