Economy Is ‘Treading Water’; Economist Reveals Next Asset Explosion | Steve Hanke

Watch on YouTube ↗  |  May 01, 2026 at 17:08  |  37:20  |  The David Lin Report
Speakers
Steve Hanke — Professor of Applied Economics, Johns Hopkins University

Summary

Steve Hanke discusses the geopolitical and economic impact of the Iran war, arguing China emerges stronger while the US suffers a strategic loss. He warns of oil price spikes from the Strait of Hormuz blockade and advises investors to pivot from high-tech into hard commodities, forecasting a commodity super cycle. He also retains a bullish gold target of $6,000-$7,000 and critiques the Fed's monetary approach.

  • Hanke says the Iran war has made China a winner and the US a strategic loser.
  • He notes the US has run out of munitions and must rely on China for rare earth materials to replenish.
  • Oil price spiked to $126 as Strait of Hormuz remains blockaded; Hanke expects more spikes near-term.
  • He argues the economy is treading water with 2% GDP growth and sees no AI-driven boom.
  • Hanke recommends pivoting from high-tech into hard commodities entering a super cycle.
  • He cites surging prices in ferro vanadium, lithium, tantalum, aluminum, and other metals.
  • Gold remains in a secular bull market with a target range of $6,000 to $7,000.
  • Hanke outlines a monetarist roadmap for Fed reform under Kevin Warsh.
Trade Ideas
Steve Hanke Professor of Applied Economics, Johns Hopkins University 0:14
Entering commodity super cycle, go long.
The US and its allies are rearming, which requires vast amounts of raw materials, and geopolitical risks (Iran war, Strait of Hormuz) are disrupting supply. This is driving a commodity super cycle where prices of hard assets will trend up with spikes. Specific commodities like ferro vanadium, molybdenum, lithium, tantalum, aluminum, tin, steel are already surging.
Steve Hanke Professor of Applied Economics, Johns Hopkins University 0:14
Pivot away from high tech.
Investors should pivot away from high-tech assets because the commodity super cycle offers better risk-reward. High tech does not benefit from the rearming and resource demand themes. The recommendation is to reduce or avoid exposure to the high-tech sector.
Steve Hanke Professor of Applied Economics, Johns Hopkins University 0:25
Gold to 6-7k, secular bull.
Gold is in a secular bull market and will peak between $6,000 and $7,000 per ounce. It is currently consolidating after a sharp run-up and will take off again. The inverse relationship with real yields may slow it temporarily but does not derail the long-term uptrend.
Steve Hanke Professor of Applied Economics, Johns Hopkins University 19:19
Long oil near-term due to spikes.
The Strait of Hormuz blockade is causing oil supply shortages and drawing down inventories. Since short-run demand elasticity is very low (0.1), price spikes will continue as long as the strait remains shut. Right now is a good time to be long oil because more spikes are coming.
Up Next

This The David Lin Report video, published May 01, 2026, features Steve Hanke discussing JJU, DBB, Hard Commodities, Ferro vanadium, MOLY, STEEL, Lithium carbonate, Lithium hydroxide, Lithium spotamine, Tantalum, REMX, High-tech sector, GOLD, WTI. 4 trade ideas extracted by AI with direction and confidence scoring.

Speakers: Steve Hanke  · Tickers: JJU, DBB, Hard Commodities, Ferro vanadium, MOLY, STEEL, Lithium carbonate, Lithium hydroxide, Lithium spotamine, Tantalum, REMX, High-tech sector, GOLD, WTI