Wall Street Slides as Iran War Uncertainty, Oil Surge, and AI Fears Rattle Markets 
Japan's Private Sector Growth Slows in March Amid Rising Costs and Middle East Uncertainty 
Japan Eyes Oil Futures Intervention to Stabilize Yen Amid Middle East Crisis 
Iran-Israel Missile Strikes Continue Amid Mixed Signals on U.S.-Iran Diplomacy 
Asian Stocks Gain Amid Iran Conflict Uncertainty 
Suspicious Oil Market Trades Precede Trump's Iran Peace Post by 15 Minutes 
Gold Prices Surge on U.S.-Iran Ceasefire Reports 
U.S. Dollar Weakens as Trump Signals Iran Deal Possibility 
Oil Prices Rebound as Iran Denies U.S. Talks, Middle East Tensions Persist 
Australia-EU Free Trade Deal Signed After Years of Negotiations 
Middle East War Rattles Global Markets as Oil Tops $100 and Dollar Surges 
Oil Prices Rebound as Iran Denies U.S. Talks Amid Gulf War Supply Fears 
Bank of Japan Eyes April Rate Hike Despite Inflation Dip, ING Says 
Asian Currencies Weaken as Dollar Rebounds Amid Middle East Uncertainty and Japan Inflation Data 
Asian Currencies Stay Muted as Dollar Holds Firm Amid Iran Uncertainty 
Australia's Inflation Eases in February but Core Pressures Persist 
Global equities ended the week under pressure as hawkish comments from Federal Reserve officials dampened hopes for another interest rate cut in December. MSCI’s global stock index slipped, while Wall Street posted a muted performance, weighed down by rising U.S. Treasury yields and renewed inflation concerns.
The S&P 500 rebounded from early losses thanks to bargain hunters, even as major markets from Tokyo to Paris closed sharply lower. Investors were also rattled by uncertainty surrounding Britain’s upcoming budget, adding to the strain on UK markets.
Several Fed policymakers struck a cautious tone, citing persistent inflation and a stabilizing labor market after two rate cuts earlier this year. Kansas City Fed President Jeffrey Schmid warned that inflation remains “too hot,” suggesting he could dissent if the Fed moves forward with a December cut. Dallas Fed President Lorie Logan also signaled opposition, echoing her stance from October.
Following the record-long U.S. government shutdown—now 43 days without official data—traders adjusted expectations, pricing in a roughly 46% chance of a December rate cut, down from nearly 67% last week, according to the CME FedWatch tool.
Despite market jitters, the tech-heavy Nasdaq managed to close slightly higher, supported by renewed interest in high-performing tech stocks. Nvidia gained 1.8%, while the S&P 600 tech index inched up 0.3%. Investors are bracing for a busy week ahead featuring earnings from major retailers and Nvidia, key indicators of consumer strength and AI demand.
The Dow fell 0.65% on the day, while the S&P 500 dipped 0.05% and the Nasdaq rose 0.13%. Global markets mirrored the cautious mood, with European and Asian indexes retreating.
In commodities, oil prices jumped over 2% after a Ukrainian drone attack disrupted exports at Russia’s Novorossiisk port. Meanwhile, gold prices fell sharply as Treasury yields climbed, with spot gold dropping over 2%.
Crypto markets also retreated, with bitcoin down nearly 4% and ethereum slightly lower.
