Public Markets 8-Hour Briefing

Last updated: March 15, 2026, 5:31 PM ET

Energy Markets Turmoil

Oil futures slipped 1.3% in early Asian trade as OPEC+ signaled potential output increases, while gold held steady near $2,340/oz despite a weakening dollar. The IEA announced immediate Asian releases from emergency stockpiles, with buyers in the region clamoring to replace barrels lost to war-related disruptions. Energy Secretary Chris Wright warned of prolonged conflict, signaling the war with Iran may last several more weeks with oil and gasoline prices elevated as the U.S. and Israel seek to destroy Iranian military capabilities. The U.S. Energy Department reiterated exchange structure for its planned 172-million-barrel release from the Strategic Petroleum Reserve, while Wright stated no guarantees on near-term price declines, citing the Strait of Hormuz's continued danger from Iranian projectiles and mines.

Geopolitical Flashpoints

Pakistani airstrikes have killed at least 75 civilians and displaced 115,000 in Afghanistan, with both sides vowing escalation and no talks in sight. Israel claimed Hezbollah links to the Michigan synagogue attacker, saying it killed the brother of Ayman Mohamad Ghazali in an airstrike in Lebanon a week before the attack. President Trump has urged allied naval deployment to the Strait of Hormuz, even though China, Britain, France, Japan and South Korea were not involved in the U.S.-Israeli attack on Iran. Meanwhile, India's foreign minister S Jaishankar told the FT diplomacy is yielding results as Trump touted sending warships, while China faces serious