How To Grow Your Investment Portfolio During A Resource Sell Off

Mar 23, 2026

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Recording date: 18th March 2026

Olive Resource Capital used the March 18, 2026 market selloff to add positions across their high-conviction portfolio, as resource sector equities declined 5-7% and gold fell below $5,000 for the first time in six months. President Samuel Pelaez and Executive Chair Derek Macpherson outlined their strategic response during their weekly investor update, emphasizing that current volatility represents a buying opportunity rather than a structural market breakdown.

The firm had strategically raised cash to approximately 10% of portfolio value in January and February, anticipating seasonal weakness around the PDAC conference period. This liquidity position enabled opportunistic deployment as Middle East tensions coincided with expected seasonal softness. Olive added to an unnamed Yukon exploration company, Arizona Sonoran Copper during its M&A transaction, energy sector holdings, and Goldsky as it consolidates 100% ownership of the Barsele project.

Management emphasized their evolution toward concentrated, high-conviction positions over the past two years. This "high grading" process prioritizes companies with strong balance sheets, capable management teams, and no leverage exposure. Pelaez noted the portfolio consists of companies with "the ability to survive" market stress without facing imminent financial liabilities, recognizing that resource companies already carry inherent leverage through commodity price exposure.

Technical indicators provided reassurance that systemic breakdown had not occurred. The VIX remained subdued, the S&P 500 stayed within 5-10% of highs, and global liquidity metrics functioned normally. Most portfolio positions had simply returned to year-end levels after strong early-year gains.

Pelaez offered nuanced geopolitical analysis from the SMI conference, characterizing targeted U.S.-Israeli strikes on Iranian infrastructure as calibrated negotiating tactics rather than full escalation. He views current tensions as transitory events unlikely to derail long-term commodity demand drivers. Strong conference attendance and well-funded companies executing substantial drill programs reinforced management's conviction that underlying sector fundamentals remain healthy despite near-term price volatility.