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Middle East War Rattles Markets as Brent Crude Climbs Toward $84 and Iran Vows Escalation

U.S. equity futures retreated Thursday as Brent crude resumed its climb toward $84 a barrel after Iran pledged to escalate its retaliation against American and Israeli strikes, disrupting Persian Gulf shipping lanes and reigniting fears that prolonged conflict could stoke inflation and delay Federal Reserve rate cuts well into 2026.

Iran Closes Strait of Hormuz as U.S.-Israeli Strikes Deepen, Sending Oil to Eight-Month Highs

The Islamic Republic declared the Strait of Hormuz closed to all maritime traffic on Tuesday as U.S. and Israeli forces launched a fourth consecutive day of strikes, pushing Brent crude above $84 per barrel. The closure of the world's most critical oil chokepoint — through which roughly a third of global seaborne crude exports pass — has ignited fears of a prolonged supply shock and rattled equity markets worldwide.

U.S.-Israel Strikes on Iran Trigger Broad Market Selloff as Oil Surges and Safe Havens Rally

A joint U.S.-Israeli military offensive against Iran, dubbed Operation Epic Fury, sent shockwaves through global financial markets on Monday, pushing oil prices up as much as 13 percent, gold above $5,400 per ounce, and sparking a broad equity selloff as investors repositioned into safe-haven assets amid fears of prolonged conflict and energy supply disruptions through the Strait of Hormuz.

Strait of Hormuz Effectively Closed: Maersk, Hapag-Lloyd, CMA CGM Halt All Transits as Shipping Stocks Surge

The world's four largest container shipping carriers suspended all vessel crossings through the Strait of Hormuz following Iranian attacks on tankers transiting the waterway, triggering a 70 percent drop in traffic and sending shares of Maersk and Hapag-Lloyd surging more than 4 percent as investors anticipated higher freight rates, war-risk surcharges, and prolonged rerouting of global cargo around Africa's Cape of Good Hope.

Gold Breaches $5,400 as Safe-Haven Demand Surges; JP Morgan Raises Year-End Target to $6,300

Spot gold prices surged nearly 2 percent to breach $5,400 per ounce on Monday as the escalating U.S.-Iran conflict drove intense safe-haven demand, with U.S. gold futures advancing 2.58 percent intraday and JPMorgan raising its year-end price target to $6,300 per ounce, citing sustained geopolitical risk, sticky inflation, and central bank buying as structural supports for bullion.

Gold Surges Past $5,100 Per Ounce as Trade Chaos and Dollar Weakness Drive Safe-Haven Demand

Gold prices climbed above $5,100 per ounce on Monday as investors fled to safe-haven assets following President Trump's announcement of a 15% global tariff and the resulting uncertainty over the future of U.S. trade policy. The dollar fell against major currencies including the yen, euro, and Swiss franc, amplifying gold's move higher, while silver surged to approximately $85 per ounce. Mining stocks and precious metals ETFs rallied sharply, outperforming a broadly weaker equity market.

Gold Hovers Near $5,000 as Safe-Haven Demand, Central Bank Buying, and Rate Uncertainty Converge

Gold remained firmly anchored near the $4,990 per ounce level on Thursday as a confluence of persistent geopolitical tensions, continued central bank accumulation led by China's People's Bank, and growing expectations for additional Federal Reserve rate cuts kept bullion elevated after its historic surge of more than 60% in 2025 — with major banks targeting prices well above $5,000 by year-end.

Applied Digital Shares Tumble After Nvidia Reduces Stake in Sector Context

Applied Digital’s shares fell sharply on Wednesday following a regulatory filing revealing Nvidia’s reduced stake, triggering investor uncertainty. The drop in stock price reflects broader market sensitivity to shifts in major holdings and valuation concerns amid a backdrop of mixed results in the tech sector and ongoing debate over AI spending’s long-term returns.

Silver Pulls Back to $82 Per Ounce After Record-Breaking January Rally Above $100

Silver prices retreated to $81.95 per ounce on Monday after the precious metal surged past $100 in late January to set record highs. The 18% pullback from peak levels presents a potential buying opportunity for investors as analysts continue to forecast long-term appreciation toward $200 per ounce driven by industrial demand and monetary policy shifts.