Should You Invest During War Volatility? Market Strategy Guide - InvestTalk Recap

Podcast: InvestTalk

Published: 2026-03-20

Duration: 2604

What Happened

Jim Cramer and other market veterans urge investors to stay calm amidst Iran war-induced volatility and focus on quality stocks. They emphasize the need to distinguish between temporary geopolitical noise and fundamental business changes to make informed investment decisions.

Justin Klein, CEO and Financial Advisor at KPP Financial, shared insights on various stocks, noting that Hershey Company (HSY) was bought when it was around $160 and is now trading at $210. Despite a 33% dip in earnings last year due to high cocoa prices, Hershey's earnings are projected to bounce back significantly this year and next.

The episode highlighted the impact of high oil prices on poorer countries, such as Nepal, Jordan, and Egypt, which struggle due to limited reserves and high import costs. In contrast, countries like Indonesia and the Philippines are less affected thanks to stronger reserves.

Market updates revealed that NASDAQ, S&P, and Dow were slightly down, with significant declines in stocks like Tesla, Netflix, and GE. Conversely, AMD, Intel, and Dell performed well. Commodities like silver, copper, and gold also saw declines, while treasury yields were mixed.

The discussion also covered the volatility resulting from options expiration week and geopolitical tensions involving the Trump administration and Israel. These factors contribute to market sentiment and investor decision-making.

Fortinet, Inc. (FTNT), a cybersecurity company, was mentioned as having consistent growth, though currently priced too high for aggressive buying. Rheinmetall AG (RNMBY), benefiting from increased European defense spending, is experiencing a loss of momentum despite expected earnings growth.

The episode explored investment opportunities in credit card companies like Visa, MasterCard, and American Express, with the latter being noted for higher profitability and diversity. The rise of cryptocurrencies and stablecoins poses potential challenges to traditional transaction rails.

Valvoline's financial performance was discussed, with earnings growth from $0.58 in 2021 to $1.59 last year, and further growth expected. Despite a decline in operating margins from their peak in 2017, the company's recent revenue growth and stock pricing were highlighted.

Key Insights

• Jim Cramer advises investors to focus on quality stocks during geopolitical volatility, emphasizing the importance of differentiating between temporary noise and substantial business changes.
• Justin Klein from KPP Financial noted Hershey's stock was acquired at $160 and is now $210, with expected earnings recovery after a 33% dip last year due to high cocoa prices.
• Countries like Egypt and Pakistan are significantly impacted by rising oil prices due to limited reserves, whereas Indonesia and the Philippines are better positioned with stronger reserves.
• Options expiration week and geopolitical tensions can exacerbate market volatility, affecting investor sentiment and decision-making strategies.