Asian Stocks Surge on Trump's Iran War Comments and Dip-Buying 
U.S. Stocks Surge on Iran War De-escalation Hopes 
Japan's Business Confidence Rises Despite Iran War Uncertainty, BOJ Rate Hike Expected 
Asian Stocks Mixed in March 2026 Amid Iran War Fears and Tech Selloff 
Oil Prices Dip as Trump Eyes Iran De-escalation, Hormuz Closure Persists 
Goldman Sachs Sees Value in European Real Estate Stocks Despite Sharp Selloff 
WTO Ministerial Collapse Leaves Global Digital Trade Rules in Limbo 
RBC Capital: European Medtech Firms Show Minimal Middle East and Energy Risk Exposure 
U.S. Dollar Posts Strong Monthly Gain Amid Middle East Conflict Despite Late Dip 
South Korea's $17.3 Billion Emergency Budget Targets Oil Price Surge 
Aluminum Prices Surge Toward Four-Year Highs After Gulf Smelter Strikes 
U.S. Stock Futures Surge After WSJ Report on Trump's Iran War Exit Strategy 
Bank of Korea Nominee Shin Hyun-song Calls for Flexible Monetary Policy Amid Iran War Risks 
Oil Prices Climb as Middle East Conflict Keeps Supply Risks Elevated 
U.S. Trade Rep Dismisses WTO's Future Role After Failed Cameroon Summit 
Japan Business Sentiment Rises as Iran War Fuels Inflation Fears, BOJ Rate Hike Looms 
Iran Strikes Oil Tanker Near Dubai Amid U.S. Threats and Ongoing Middle East Conflict 
U.S. stocks ended lower on Tuesday as concerns over the conflict between Israel and Hezbollah, Iran-backed militants in Lebanon, raised market uncertainties. Reports of rising tensions in the Middle East prompted investor caution, impacting several sectors.
Energy and Defense Stocks Gain
Energy stocks rose alongside oil prices, which settled 2.4% higher. Exxon Mobil (NYSE: XOM) gained 2.3%, boosted by the rise in oil prices. Defense companies also saw gains, with Northrop Grumman (NYSE: NOC) climbing 3% and Lockheed Martin (NYSE: LMT) increasing 3.6%. The S&P 500 aerospace and defense index reached a record high, and utilities stocks were up by 0.8%.
Airline Stocks and Market Volatility
In contrast, airline stocks dropped, reflecting the risk-averse market mood. Delta Air Lines (NYSE: DAL) fell 1.6%. While major indexes managed to recover some ground before closing, investors remained cautious amid global uncertainties.
“If we do see further escalation, I could see continued market weakness because we just don't know how far this is going to go," said Peter Tuz, president of Chase Investment Counsel in Charlottesville, Virginia.
Index Performance
- Dow Jones Industrial Average: Fell 173.18 points, or 0.41%.
- S&P 500: Lost 53.73 points, or 0.93%.
- Nasdaq Composite: Dropped 278.81 points, or 1.53%.
Economic Indicators and Upcoming Reports
The CBOE Volatility Index, Wall Street’s “fear gauge,” saw an uptick. Economic data released Tuesday showed U.S. job openings rebounded in August, while the Institute for Supply Management reported that manufacturing activity stood at 47.2 in September, slightly below expectations of 47.5.
Investors are closely watching upcoming economic reports, including U.S. jobless claims on Thursday and monthly payroll data on Friday. According to CME Group’s (NASDAQ: CME) FedWatch Tool, there are varying views on the potential for a Federal Reserve rate cut in the coming months.
Market Volume and Breadth
Trading volume on U.S. exchanges was higher than average, reaching 13.16 billion shares compared to the 11.98 billion average over the last 20 trading days. On the NYSE, declining issues outnumbered advancing ones by a 1.32-to-1 ratio, and on the Nasdaq, the ratio was 2.36-to-1 in favor of decliners. The S&P 500 recorded 51 new 52-week highs and two new lows, while the Nasdaq Composite saw 75 new highs and 137 new lows.
