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Gold on Track for Worst Week Since 1983 as Iran War Paradox Crushes Safe-Haven Appeal, Rate-Hike Bets Surge

Gold is on pace for its worst weekly performance since 1983, shedding more than 10% week-to-date as a paradoxical dynamic grips precious metals markets: the Iran war that initially drove bullion to record highs above $5,400 per ounce has morphed into a catalyst for collapse, as the conflict's inflationary consequences harden the Federal Reserve's 'higher for longer' stance, push the U.S. dollar to multi-month highs, and force leveraged futures traders to liquidate positions at scale. Silver is simultaneously tracking toward its worst week since January 2026.

Markets Price 50% Chance of Fed Rate Hike by October as Powell's 'Hawkish Hold' Reverberates Through Risk Assets

Bond futures markets are pricing a 50% probability that the Federal Reserve will raise interest rates by October 2026, a dramatic and rapid shift from the multiple rate cuts that were widely expected just three months ago, after Fed Chair Jerome Powell's press conference this week signaled that inflation progress has stalled and the Iran war's economic consequences will not meaningfully alter the central bank's calculus. The repricing has sent Treasury yields higher, crushed gold and growth stocks, and introduced the specter of stagflation across Wall Street's macro outlook.

Iran Strikes Qatar's Ras Laffan LNG Hub Twice in 12 Hours; Brent Crude Briefly Surges Past $119 as Global Energy Crisis Deepens

Iranian missile strikes inflicted 'extensive damage' on Qatar's Ras Laffan Industrial City — the world's largest LNG export hub — sending Brent crude briefly above $119 a barrel on Thursday before it retreated to around $114. The attacks, which came in retaliation for Israeli strikes on Iran's South Pars gas field, have paralyzed nearly 20% of global LNG supply, triggered drone strikes on Saudi and Kuwaiti refineries, and raised the specter of a full-scale stagflationary energy shock across the global economy.

Gold Trades Near $4,571 as Stagflation Fears and Iran War Escalation Drive Safe-Haven Surge; J.P. Morgan Targets $5,055 by Year-End

Gold is trading near $4,571 per ounce on Thursday, having rallied sharply from under $3,000 earlier in 2025, as the Iran war, a hawkish Federal Reserve, and rising stagflation fears combine to make bullion one of the most compelling safe-haven assets in the current environment. J.P. Morgan Global Research is targeting $5,055 per ounce by year-end 2026, while some models project a path toward $6,500 if the energy crisis deepens and real yields fall as growth deteriorates.

Brent Crude Spikes to $106 After Iran Strikes South Pars Gas Field; Strait of Hormuz Fears Escalate

Global oil benchmark Brent crude spiked 3.1% to above $106 per barrel on Wednesday after Iran reported an attack on its South Pars natural gas processing complex — the world's largest gas field — in apparent retaliation for recent Israeli strikes. The development reignited fears that the conflict could escalate toward a full blockade of the Strait of Hormuz, through which roughly 20% of the world's oil supply transits daily.

Lululemon Beats Q4 Estimates But Shocks Investors With Bleak 2026 Guidance; Americas Revenue Slides, CEO Search Drags On

Lululemon Athletica beat fourth-quarter earnings estimates Tuesday evening, reporting Q4 revenue of $3.64 billion and EPS of $5.01, but the company's 2026 guidance delivered a stark warning to investors: full-year EPS is projected to fall to $12.10–$12.30 from $13.26 in fiscal 2025, marking a second consecutive year of declining profitability. Americas revenue fell 4% in Q4 and is expected to decline a further 1%–3% in 2026, while the company continues to operate without a permanent CEO.

Boeing Under Fresh Pressure as 737 MAX Wiring Defect Stalls Q1 Deliveries; Shares Lag Broader Market Recovery

Boeing shares lagged the broader market Wednesday as the company continued to grapple with a 737 MAX delivery pause tied to scratched wiring caused by a machining error discovered during production inspections. The defect, disclosed on March 10, has halted all MAX deliveries since March 5 — ending what had been the strongest February delivery performance since 2018 — and raises renewed questions about manufacturing quality control just as Boeing's recovery appeared to be gaining momentum.

Meta Shares Surge Nearly 3% as Reuters Reports Planned 20% Workforce Reduction to Offset $135 Billion AI Spending

Meta Platforms shares climbed nearly 3% on Monday after Reuters reported that the social media giant is weighing layoffs affecting 20% or more of its roughly 79,000-person workforce — potentially eliminating more than 15,000 jobs — as the company seeks to offset its $135 billion AI capital expenditure plan for 2026, roughly double last year's spending. The news accelerated a sector-wide narrative of tech giants using AI efficiency gains to justify historic reductions in headcount.

Delta and American Airlines Lift Q1 Revenue Guidance to Record Levels Despite $400 Million Fuel Cost Hit From Iran War

Delta Air Lines and American Airlines each raised their first-quarter 2026 revenue guidance to record levels on Tuesday at the JPMorgan Industrials Conference — Delta targeting $15.0–$15.3 billion with high-single-digit growth and American projecting its highest-ever year-over-year quarterly revenue gain above 10% — as surging bookings from corporate and leisure travelers more than offset a $400 million per carrier fuel cost shock driven by the Iran war.