Are Markets Underpricing Conflict Tail Risk?

Bob Elliott · Nonconsensus · March 27, 2026 at 10:32 · ⏱ 3 min read  | Read on Substack ↗
Summary
The author argues that financial markets are underpricing the tail risk of a prolonged conflict, which could lead to sharply higher oil prices over the summer. While prediction markets assign a 40% probability to this scenario, financial market pricing remains relatively calm, suggesting a potential vulnerability as oil supply cushions are depleted.
  • Financial markets appear to be underpricing the tail risk of an extended geopolitical conflict.
  • A prolonged conflict extending into the summer could cause a sharp increase in global oil prices.
  • Prediction markets show a 40% chance of this outcome, which contrasts with the sanguine pricing in financial markets.
  • The global economy is becoming more vulnerable as the cushions to oil supply cuts are being exhausted.
Read time 3 min
Length 3,930 chars
Category finance
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