Markets slip as Iran conflict deepens
The S&P 500 and Nasdaq fell sharply this week as the Iran conflict entered its fifth week — S&P -1.74%, Nasdaq -2.3% — while oil approached $100 and the 10‑year Treasury yield pushed near 4.46%, stoking volatility across equity and interest‑rate sensitive portfolios. (indexbox.io) (economictimes.indiatimes.com)
U.S. benchmarks recorded a fifth straight weekly loss and the Dow Jones Industrial Average slipped into correction territory after dropping more than 10% from its February peak, extending the longest losing streak since 2022. (bloomberg.com) Global crude moved sharply higher this week, with U.S. crude topping $100 a barrel and Brent trading near roughly $114 late Friday, prompting brokerages to lift their 2026 oil-price outlooks. (nbcnews.com) Maritime disruptions amplified the shock: Iran has effectively restricted traffic through the Strait of Hormuz, a route that previously carried about one‑fifth of global crude exports, and analysts warn the blockade could remove millions of barrels per day from seaborne supply. (bloomberg.com) Fixed‑income markets repriced sharply on the prospect of higher inflation and tighter policy, with the U.S. 10‑year Treasury hitting roughly 4.468% on March 27 and the 2‑year note moving toward 4.00% as short‑term yields surged. (ainvest.com) Volatility surged across asset classes: the CBOE VIX climbed into the high‑20s (about 27.44 on March 26) while spot gold rallied to roughly $4,495 per troy ounce on March 27 as investors rotated into traditional havens. (financialcontent.com) Flows concentrated in energy: energy ETFs saw significant inflows as oil majors rallied — ExxonMobil traded near multi‑decade highs and left energy the clear relative winner amid the geopolitical shock. (etf.com)
