Market volatility is back on the radar this week as geopolitical tensions drive oil prices higher and keep global investors on edge. While the Wall Street had a strong month driven by the AI sector, the local market is facing a more challenging period, headlined by downgrades across the banks and by the biggest story this week in Cochlear’s (ASX:COH) over 40% decline.

In this week's wrap, Sophia and Will cover:

• the impact of rising crude oil prices and stalled peace talks on global investor sentiment
• why the ASX is lagging behind the AI-driven rally seen in US markets
• a look at the recent performance of the energy and financial sectors in Australia
• Cochlear's (ASX:COH) 40% tumble what it means for long-term shareholders.

In this week’s Weekly Wrap, CIO Will Riggall is joined by Bell Potter’s Lead Strategist Rob Crookston to unpack the key drivers behind the recent market rally and what comes next.

Despite ongoing geopolitical uncertainty and rising oil prices, the S&P 500 has surged back to all-time highs, led by a strong rebound in the tech sector. But the big question remains: how sustainable is this move?

In this week’s video, Will and Rob cover:

• The rapid market rally and whether current momentum can continue
• What to expect from upcoming trading updates and the impact of rising oil costs on companies like Qantas
• The shift in momentum away from large-cap banks such as Westpac and back toward high-growth tech
• Bell Potter’s preferred positioning—focusing on offensive, capital-light sectors including tech, diversified financials, and classifieds.

In this episode of From the helm, Sophia Mavridis is joined by Centaurus Metals (ASX:CTM) CEO & MD Darren Gordon to discuss what sets their product apart from its peers and what is next for the broader nickel market.