Welcome to our March 2026 Viewpoints, a monthly bulletin from PDS Planning to our valued clients and friends. Our goal with each issue of Viewpoints is to provide you with a wide variety of perspectives on life and wealth. Feel free to share with others.
The World and Oil
At this stage of the US war with Iran, the focus is shifting from intensity to duration and, from an economic perspective to oil. Roughly 20% of the world’s oil supply flows through the Strait of Hormuz, a critical waterway connecting the Persian Gulf to global shipping routes.
As the conflict has persisted, risks to that passage have increased. Iran borders the Strait, and according to Liz Ann Sonders of Charles Schwab, “Iranian drone warfare and dangerous conditions have effectively meant safe passage for commercial and container ships is compromised, even when accompanied by the U.S. Navy and other global warships.”
The US and Oil
Fortunately, the direct impact on the United States remains relatively limited. An estimated 89% of crude moving through the Hormuz went to Asian markets during 2025. Additionally, the US has become a net exporter of oil over the last few years.
Markets and Oil
Unfortunately, the U.S. economy is not insulated from the indirect effects. Higher oil prices mean higher energy prices, especially at the pump. The gas stations on the corner near my house just bumped up to $3.99 a gallon. Inflation may come back to the conversation.
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