Senior Market Strategist
Russell Shor is a Senior Market Strategist at FXCM, having been promoted to the role in 2025 in recognition of his depth of insight and consistent delivery of high-impact market analysis. He originally joined FXCM in October 2017 as a Senior Market Specialist.
Russell holds an Honours Degree in Economics from the University of South Africa, is a certified FMVA®, and a full member of the Society of Technical Analysts (UK). With over 20 years of experience in financial markets, his work is renowned for its clarity, precision, and strategic value across asset classes.
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Elevated fear (high VIX) is signalling a potential contrarian bounce in equities, but persistent geopolitical risk and volatility mean caution remains.
The S&P 500 sell-off is being driven by a surge in oil prices from escalating Middle East tensions, amplifying inflation fears, tightening financial conditions, and exposing deeper risks in private credit and AI-driven earnings expectations.
Markets are rallying on easing war fears and falling oil prices, but the move remains fragile as geopolitical uncertainty and energy risks continue to threaten stability
The Strait of Hormuz is the key driver of oil prices and, by extension, the direction of global markets amid escalating geopolitical risk.
Private credit, a roughly $2 trillion market that grew rapidly as banks retreated from lending after 2008, is now facing its first real test as rising interest rates, investor withdrawals, and signs of borrower stress expose liquidity and valuation risks built during years of cheap money.
Oil prices are rising not because global production has collapsed, but because the conflict has disrupted one of the world’s most critical shipping routes, preventing large volumes of oil from reaching global markets.
Rising Middle East tensions are driving defensive positioning, with Newmont, Lockheed Martin and BP highlighted as potential diversification plays tied to gold, defence spending and oil volatility.
A weak US labour report and a surge in oil prices toward $119 have revived fears that financial markets may be entering a stagflationary environment of slowing growth alongside persistent inflation.
Escalating tensions in the Iran conflict are lifting oil on supply fears and supporting gold as investors seek safety, making both commodities key indicators of global geopolitical risk.
This FXCM AlphaTrack highlights potential trade opportunities in Newmont Corporation, Lockheed Martin, and BP based on bullish technical momentum as geopolitical tensions lift safe-haven and energy demand signals
The Middle East conflict has shaken global markets. Shares are falling while oil, gold and the dollar are rising on risk fears.
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