Global Markets Rattled as Middle East Conflict Fuels Inflation Fears
Global financial markets experienced significant turbulence as the escalating military conflict between the U.S., Israel, and Iran sent shockwaves through investor sentiment. Major stock indexes, including the Dow Jones Industrial Average which fell by over 780 points, closed sharply lower. The selling pressure was widespread, with reports indicating that the Australian market lost over $100 billion in value, while Indian investors saw approximately Rs 11 lakh crore wiped out, erasing gains made in February. The primary driver of the market downturn was a sharp spike in oil prices, with West Texas Intermediate crude jumping 6.3% to settle above $71 a barrel, while other reports noted oil breaching the $80 mark. This surge was triggered by fears that the conflict could disrupt supplies from the critical Middle East region, compounded by a separate incident where Iran claimed to have attacked a tanker in the Strait of Hormuz. Furthermore, a spike in European natural gas prices, following the shutdown of a major Qatari export plant, added to the energy price pressures. Analysts warned that sustained high oil and gas prices would inevitably make goods and services more expensive, reigniting inflation fears. These concerns were further validated by recent economic data showing manufacturing expansion accompanied by rising input prices. While corporate results from companies like Broadcom provided some positive news, and jobs data was seen as encouraging, they were overwhelmingly overshadowed by the geopolitical instability and its inflationary implications, leaving investors bracing for continued volatility.
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Also weighing on Treasuries were figures showing manufacturing expanded, with input prices jumping. West Texas Intermediate jumped 6.3% to settle at $71.23. European natural gas prices soared as Qatar shut the world’s largest LNG export plant.
As of late afternoon, the 10-year ... as the sweeping impact of the Iran war sinks in. Less than a week since it began, there are few signs that the war the U.S. launched on Iran is slowing. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi told NBC News on Thursday that he is confident ...
Stock market falls resume as US-Israel war with Iran drives up oil and gas prices | US-Israel war on Iran | The Guardian
Early gains in European markets, which had followed a rebound in Asia, were wiped out in later trading and Wall Street was also trading sharply lower by early afternoon in New York.
February's stock market gains wiped out as war shows no signs of easing — as it happened - ABC News
The Australian share market fell sharply with more than $100 billion wiped off the boards this week. Look back on the day's financial news and insights from our specialist business reporters on our live blog.
Us Iran War Impact On Stock Market: Rs 11 lakh crore wiped out! How US-Israel-Iran war is hitting stock market investors hard - The Times of India
India Business News: Rs 11 lakh crore gone! Middle East tensions, the ongoing war of the US and Israel with Iran have bled the Indian stock markets, with investors rushing.
Markets News, March 5, 2026: U.S. Indexes Tumble as Oil Hits $80 a Barrel; Dow Closes Down Almost 800 Points
Major stock indexes closed sharply lower Thursday, with the Dow Jones Industrial Average shedding 785 points, as oil prices jumped above $80 a barrel after Iran claimed to have attacked a tanker in the Strait of Hormuz.
Stocks dropped on Friday after the latest producer price index data came in much hotter than expected, adding sticky inflation to a list of concerns that has caused market turbulence this month. The Dow Jones Industrial Average dropped 521.28 points, or 1.05%, to close at 48,977.92. The S&P 500 closed down 0.43% at 6,878.88, while the Nasdaq Composite lost 0.92% to settle at 22,668.21. The S&P 500 and Nasdaq finished in the red for February ...
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