MoneyMasters Podcast 🎙️ 4/2/26: The 8 Million Barrel Oil Gap and What it Means for Markets

Mike Larson | Editor-in-Chief

Ken Medlock is senior director of the Center for Energy Studies at Rice University’s Baker Institute for Public Policy. He breaks down the Middle East conflict’s impact on global energy in this MoneyShow MoneyMasters Podcast episode. 

A key point: Despite the US being a net exporter, disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz are hitting over half of global oil flows, exposing how fragile supply really is. Ken pushes back on “demand destruction” narratives, pointing out consumption kept growing even with $100+ oil in the 2010s. But he also highlights the current supply gap of 7 to 8 million barrels per day that strategic reserves can only temporarily offset.

The conversation also connects energy to the AI boom, with data centers turning to natural gas and nuclear to bypass grid limits. Plus, Medlock discusses his view that any serious decarbonized future still depends on nuclear, with geothermal emerging as the next piece to watch.

As a reminder: Ken is speaking at the 2026 MoneyShow Masters Symposium Dallas, scheduled for May 14-16. Click here to see him live!

Norton: Geopolitical Crises and Their Impacts on MARKETS

What can PAST geopolitical crises and their market impacts teach us about the CURRENT one? Marta Norton of Empower Investments shares her insights in this excerpt from a recent MoneyShow MoneyMasters Podcast.

While Marta notes that US stocks typically move past these shocks quickly, a longer campaign could mean more room for energy disruptions and uncertainty. That, in turn, could keep volatility around longer than usual. Expect market swings…but don’t overreact. 

All This is Waiting for You in Hollywood - Next Week!

Our 2026 MoneyShow Masters Symposium Hollywood Florida is right around the corner! Next week, you’ll have access to…

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👉 Keynotes, panels, and workshops like “The US Economy, Democratization of Private Markets, and Opportunities for Investors” ... “The Top 10 Stocks and ETFs for 2026-2027” ... and “The Turning Point of Our Time – AI & Tech Stocks to Own for Your Portfolio

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• Retail Sales: Does Strong Data Signal Spending is Still on Track?
  👉️ TICKERS: QQQ, SPY
  Following disappointing readings in December and January, February’s retail sales report offered some reassurance. It was the strongest reading since July, while core retail sales and control group sales, the portion that feeds into GDP, also came in ahead of economists’ expectations, observes Bret Kenwell, US investment analyst at eToro US.

• VVX: A Defense Infrastructure Stock Primed for More Gains
  👉️ TICKER: VVX
  Forget flashy AI hype or speculative tech moonshots. V2X Inc. (VVX) is quietly embedded in the backbone of global defense infrastructure — delivering mission-critical services that governments cannot operate without, notes Nicholas Vardy, editor of The Global Guru.

🏖️ 📈 Join 50+ top market experts for the 2026 MoneyShow Masters Symposium Hollywood Florida. Click HERE to get fresh portfolio picks and powerful trading strategies at our beautiful oceanfront venue April 9-11!

🏭 📈 The Dow Jones May Be Down, But DOW Stock Is Winning in 2026. (Barchart)