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Shifting Currents: The Hormuz disruption and the remaking of global trade

Thought Leadership
This insight is about
Global Trade
Geopolitics
Thought Leadership
Middle East
AI

Shifting Currents: The Hormuz disruption and the remaking of global trade

by Willem Sels, Global Chief Investment Officer, HSBC Private Bank and Premier Wealth, Kai Fehr, Global Head of Industry Groups and Partnerships Global Trade Solutions, HSBC, Aditya Gahlaut, Head of Asia, Global Trade Solutions, HSBC & Aashna Bhatia, Head of Global, US and Europe, Investment Content Strategy, HSBC Private Bank and Premier Wealth
Jun 8, 2026

  • In an investment environment increasingly shaped by geopolitics, shifting trade dynamics and structural realignment, having access to differentiated perspectives has become a critical advantage. In this article, we spoke to two HSBC experts to see what’s really going on with global trade
  • The Middle East conflict and the subsequent closure of the Strait of Hormuz have kept volatility high. Our central conviction remains intact: short term shocks, however unsettling, do not overturn the long term structural forces reshaping trade and capital allocation
  • So, given there are still uncertainties, we position for the tailwinds from investments around AI, energy and infrastructure while exploring:    

      - How the disruption unfolds — tracing its path from logistics to costs to inflation, and what it means for         portfolios  

      - Where resilience is building — the markets, sectors, and companies proving more durable as supply         chains rebalance   

      - The investment story for the long-term — how trade is reweighting within Asia, the shift to services                trade, and the implications from rising capex in AI to infrastructure          

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This document is not independent investment research under the European Markets in Financial Instruments Directive (‘MiFID’) or other relevant regulations and is not subject to restrictions on dealing ahead of its distribution. This means HSBC and its staff may have an interest in the products or services mentioned before this document is shared with you.

 

The information in this document is for general information only and is intended for HSBC Private Bank clients. It does not constitute, and should not be construed as, legal, tax or investment advice, or a solicitation, offer, or recommendation to buy or sell any financial products or services.

 

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