Public Markets 8-Hour Briefing
×Global Market Moves
US futures slid over 1% as escalating tensions between the US and Iran rattled investor sentiment. Japanese stocks dropped in early Tokyo trading after US-Israeli strikes hit risk appetite. Global equity traders braced for a volatile week, with energy and defense companies emerging as potential havens amid the escalating Middle East conflict. Stocks and US futures declined broadly while crude oil surged, prompting investors to trim risk exposure.
Commodity Surge
Gold prices jumped 2% amid widening US-Israel conflict with Iran, continuing a trend of gold climbing as the Middle East war drives investors to seek safety. Oil jumped the most in four years as markets reacted to the conflict, with European gas potentially surging 130% if shipping through the Strait of Hormuz is disrupted. The escalation has prompted investors to flock to traditional safe-haven assets while energy markets brace for potential supply disruptions.
Regional Developments
UAE stock markets will close for two days amid Iran strikes, avoiding a possible meltdown after the Gulf country was repeatedly hit in retaliation. The Australian dollar may extend its advance versus the greenback even as speculative bullish bets stay near the highest level in over eight years. One of Japan's largest regional banks is investing in shorter-term bonds to secure higher returns while avoiding longer-dated securities. China's five-year plan targeting fixes to commodities supply will help shape global markets through the end of the decade.