U.S. and World Indexes Plunged and Oil Sored 10% Amid Uncertainty Over War On Iran

Barry Adams
02 Apr, 2026
New York City

Stocks in New York faced renewed skepticism amid new worries of uncertainties in the Middle East. 

The S&P 500 Index decreased 1.4%, and the tech-heavy Nasdaq Composite fell 1.7% as investors took their cue from the oil market. 

The price of a barrel of West Texas Intermediate crude oil soared 9.2% to $190.25 after the U.S. president said war could continue for several weeks and threaten to reduce Iran to "Stone Age."

Benchmark indexes in South Korea fell 4.5%, in Japan fell 2.4%, in Germany decreased 24%, in France eased 1.7%, in Hong Kong and Shanghai dropped 1%, but in India rose 0.3%.

Thursday marks the last trading session of this week in New York, and financial markets are closed for Good Friday. 

On the economic front, investors are awaiting weekly jobless claims data later today and March's jobs report on Friday.

Despite a series of economic headwinds, the job market has remained resilient, but businesses have slowed hiring and firing in the previous twelve months. 

U.S. Movers 

Investors are looking ahead to the start of the earnings season, and Delta Airlines and Levi Strauss are set to release early next week.

Oil complex stocks headed higher after crude oil prices soared following the U.S. president's remarks. 

Exxon Mobil, Chevron, ConocoPhillips, Devon Energy, and Diamondback Energy advanced as much as 4%. 

Delta Air Lines, United Airlines, Alaska Air, and Southwest Airlines fell between 4% and 5%. 

Royal Caribbean, Carnival, and Norwegian Cruise Line dropped between 3% and 5%.

Wall Street Indexes Dropped 2% Amid Uncertainty Related to War On Iran

Barry Adams
02 Apr, 2026
New York City

Stocks in New York faced renewed skepticism amid new worries of uncertainties in the Middle East. 

The S&P 500 Index decreased 1.4%, and the tech-heavy Nasdaq Composite fell 1.7% as investors took their cue from the oil market. 

The price of a barrel of West Texas Intermediate crude oil soared 9.2% to $190.25 after the U.S. president said war could continue for several weeks and threaten to reduce Iran to "Stone Age."

Thursday marks the last trading session of this week, and financial markets are closed for Good Friday. 

On the economic front, investors are awaiting weekly jobless claims data later today and March's jobs report on Friday.

Despite a series of economic headwinds, the job market has remained resilient, but businesses have slowed hiring and firing in the previous twelve months. 

U.S. Movers 

Investors are looking ahead to the start of the earnings season, and Delta Airlines and Levi Strauss are set to release early next week.

Oil complex stocks headed higher after crude oil prices soared following the U.S. president's remarks. 

Exxon Mobil, Chevron, ConocoPhillips, Devon Energy, and Diamondback Energy advanced as much as 4%. 

Delta Air Lines, United Airlines, Alaska Air, and Southwest Airlines fell between 4% and 5%. 

Royal Caribbean, Carnival, and Norwegian Cruise Line dropped between 3% and 5%.

China and Asia Stocks Dropped Amid Worries of Escalating Tensions in the Middle East

Li Chen
02 Apr, 2026
Hong Kong

Stocks in China and Hong Kong headed lower and trimmed weekly gains amid lingering uncertainty over the conflict in the Middle East. 

The Hang Seng Index dropped 1.5%, and the mainland-focused CSI 300 Index decreased 1% as crude oil prices rebounded following mixed messages from the U.S. president.

In a televised address to the nation, Donald Trump claimed that core objectives of the latest military campaign targeting Iran, but he also threatened to escalate attacks over the next two to three weeks. 

Brent crude oil prices soared 6.4% to $107.73 a barrel following Trump's belligerent message, raising fears of a prolonged disruption of shipments of energy products.

The People's Bank of China drained liquidity, reversing months of support provided to sustain the economic growth.

The central bank drained 890 billion yuan through short-term operations in March and absorbed another 250 billion yuan through longer-term tools, which indicates a significant tightening of monetary policy aimed at controlling inflation and stabilizing the economy.

China Indexes and Stocks 

The Hang Seng Index decreased 1.5% to 24,924.67, and the mainland-focused CSI 300 Index declined 1% to 4,477.33. 

Alibaba Holdings, Tencent Holdings, and Baidu Inc. decreased between 1% and 3%. 

Zhongji Innolight, Eoptolink Technology, and NAURA Technology dropped between 2% and 3%. 

China and Asia Stocks Amid Worries of Escalating Tensions in the Middle East

Li Chen
02 Apr, 2026
Hong Kong

Stocks in China and Hong Kong headed lower and trimmed weekly gains amid lingering uncertainty over the conflict in the Middle East. 

The Hang Seng Index dropped 1.5%, and the mainland-focused CSI 300 Index decreased 1% as crude oil prices rebounded following mixed messages from the U.S. president.

In a televised address to the nation, Donald Trump claimed that core objectives of the latest military campaign targeting Iran, but he also threatened to escalate attacks over the next two to three weeks. 

Brent crude oil prices soared 6.4% to $107.73 a barrel following Trump's belligerent message, raising fears of a prolonged disruption of shipments of energy products.

The People's Bank of China drained liquidity, reversing months of support provided to sustain the economic growth.

The central bank drained 890 billion yuan through short-term operations in March and absorbed another 250 billion yuan through longer-term tools, which indicates a significant tightening of monetary policy aimed at controlling inflation and stabilizing the economy.

China Indexes and Stocks 

The Hang Seng Index decreased 1.5% to 24,924.67, and the mainland-focused CSI 300 Index declined 1% to 4,477.33. 

Alibaba Holdings, Tencent Holdings, and Baidu Inc. decreased between 1% and 3%. 

Zhongji Innolight, Eoptolink Technology, and NAURA Technology dropped between 2% and 3%. 

U.S. and Global Stocks Advanced Amid Iran De-Escalation Hopes

Barry Adams
01 Apr, 2026
New York City

U.S. stocks advanced for the second consecutive day this week amid rising expectations that tensions in the Middle East are likely to de-escalate soon. 

The S&P 500 Index increased 0.5%, and the Nasdaq Composite advanced 0.7% following a chaotic end of a difficult quarter. 

The two widely followed benchmark indexes, the S&P 500 and the Nasdaq Composite, decreased 4.7% and 7%, respectively, in the first quarter after the U.S. and Israel launched aggressive air attacks on Iran. 

Crude oil prices soared by as much as 83% in the first quarter and reached four-year highs, crossing $100 a barrel in New York and $115 a barrel in London. 

The unprovoked war on Iran disrupted global energy product supplies, reignited food and overall inflation, and gasoline prices soared as much as 50% in the U.S. and Asia. 

India, Japan, Taiwan, South Korea, the Philippines, and other Asian countries are bracing for the second wave of inflation shock as the steep rise in energy prices works its way through their economies. 

At the start of the new month, benchmark indexes in Europe advanced between 1.5% and 1.9%, in Japan soared nearly 5%, soared 8% in South Korea, and in India advanced 1.7%.

U.S. Movers 

RH plunged 19% to $113.02 after the home furnishing company estimated full-year revenue growth between 4% and 8%, significantly lower than the market expectation of 9%. 

Dave & Buster's Entertainment advanced 6.2% to $11.50, and the company guided an increase in revenue, adjusted operating earnings, and same-store sales in 2026. 

Nike, Inc. dropped 10.2% to $47.24 after the athletic shoe and apparel maker estimated weaker-than-expected revenue in the current quarter.

U.S. and Global Stocks Advanced Amid Iran De-Escalation Hopes

Barry Adams
01 Apr, 2026
New York City

U.S. stocks advanced for the second consecutive day this week amid rising expectations that tensions in the Middle East are likely to de-escalate soon. 

The S&P 500 Index increased 0.5%, and the Nasdaq Composite advanced 0.7% following a chaotic end of a difficult quarter. 

The two widely followed benchmark indexes, the S&P 500 and the Nasdaq Composite, decreased 4.7% and 7%, respectively, in the first quarter after the U.S. and Israel launched aggressive air attacks on Iran. 

Crude oil prices soared by as much as 83% in the first quarter and reached four-year highs, crossing $100 a barrel in New York and $115 a barrel in London. 

The unprovoked war on Iran disrupted global energy product supplies, reignited food and overall inflation, and gasoline prices soared as much as 50% in the U.S. and Asia. 

India, Japan, Taiwan, South Korea, the Philippines, and other Asian countries are bracing for the second wave of inflation shock as the steep rise in energy prices works its way through their economies. 

At the start of the new month, benchmark indexes in Europe advanced between 1.5% and 1.9%, in Japan soared nearly 5%, soared 8% in South Korea, and in India advanced 1.7%.

U.S. Movers 

RH plunged 19% to $113.02 after the home furnishing company estimated full-year revenue growth between 4% and 8%, significantly lower than the market expectation of 9%. 

Dave & Buster's Entertainment advanced 6.2% to $11.50, and the company guided an increase in revenue, adjusted operating earnings, and same-store sales in 2026. 

Nike, Inc. dropped 10.2% to $47.24 after the athletic shoe and apparel maker estimated weaker-than-expected revenue in the current quarter.

Japan's Indexes Soared 5% Amid Hopes of De-escalation of Tensions In the Middle East

Akira Ito
01 Apr, 2026
Tokyo

Stocks in Japan rebounded amid hopes that tensions in the Middle East are likely to de-escalate sooner than previously expected. 

The Nikkei 225 Stock Average advanced more than 4%, and the broader Topix gained nearly 5% amid a sharp rebound in market sentiment. 

Japan's benchmark indexes ended a four-day losing streak, and the yen advanced to 158.31 against the U.S. dollar. 

Despite the sharp rebound in the Asian markets, investors remained skeptical, and crude oil prices budged a little. 

Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi rejected the ceasefire and demanded compensation, guarantees, and Iran's sovereignty over the Strait of Hormuz.

Japan Indexes and Stocks 

The Nikkei 225 Stock Average soared 4.5% to 53,600.89, and the broader Topix added 4.5% to 3,664.15. 

Technology, semiconductor equipment makers, and AI-related stocks advanced in Tuesday's trading. 

SoftBank, Tokyo Electron, Advantest Corp., and Disco Corp. surged between 3% and 7%. 

Nippon Yusen, Mitsui OSK Lines, and Kawasaki Kisen Kaisha advanced between 1% and 4%.

Japan's Indexes Soared 5% Amid Hopes of De-escalation of Tensions In the Middle East

Akira Ito
01 Apr, 2026
Tokyo

Stocks in Japan rebounded amid hopes that tensions in the Middle East are likely to de-escalate sooner than previously expected. 

The Nikkei 225 Stock Average advanced more than 4%, and the broader Topix gained nearly 5% amid a sharp rebound in market sentiment. 

Japan's benchmark indexes ended a four-day losing streak, and the yen advanced to 158.31 against the U.S. dollar. 

Despite the sharp rebound in the Asian markets, investors remained skeptical, and crude oil prices budged a little. 

Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi rejected the ceasefire and demanded compensation, guarantees, and Iran's sovereignty over the Strait of Hormuz.

Japan Indexes and Stocks 

The Nikkei 225 Stock Average soared 4.5% to 53,600.89, and the broader Topix added 4.5% to 3,664.15. 

Technology, semiconductor equipment makers, and AI-related stocks advanced in Tuesday's trading. 

SoftBank, Tokyo Electron, Advantest Corp., and Disco Corp. surged between 3% and 7%. 

Nippon Yusen, Mitsui OSK Lines, and Kawasaki Kisen Kaisha advanced between 1% and 4%.

China and Asian Markets Soared Amid Iran War and Strait of Hormuz Passage Optimism

Li Chen
01 Apr, 2026
Hong Kong

Stocks in China and Hong Kong in the hopes that the U.S. and Israel's war on Iran is likely to end as early as two weeks.

The Hang Seng Index jumped 2%, and the mainland-focused CSI 300 Index increased 1.4%, reflecting the surge in overnight trading. 

Wall Street indexes soared between 2% and 3% in overnight trading amid hopes that the U.S. is ready to end its bombing campaign on Iran and look for a diplomatic solution to resume transportation through the Strait of Hormuz. 

Benchmark indexes in Japan soared 4.5%, in South Korea surged 6%, and in India advanced 2.5%. 

China Indexes and Stocks 

The Hang Seng Index soared 2% to 25,276.65, and the mainland-focused CSI 300 Index advanced 1.4% to 4,513.65. 

Technology and AI-related stocks led gainers in Hong Kong trading on Tuesday.

Alibaba Group, Meituan, Tencent Holdings, SMIC, and Badu jumped between 3% and 5%. 

BYD, Xiaomi, and Geely Automobile Holding meandered in active trading. 

Sun Hung Kai Properties, Henderson Land Development, and China Vanke advanced between 2% and 3%. 

China and Asian Markets Soared Amid Iran War and Strait of Hormuz Passage Optimism

Li Chen
01 Apr, 2026
Hong Kong

Stocks in China and Hong Kong in the hopes that the U.S. and Israel's war on Iran is likely to end as early as two weeks.

The Hang Seng Index jumped 2%, and the mainland-focused CSI 300 Index increased 1.4%, reflecting the surge in overnight trading. 

Wall Street indexes soared between 2% and 3% in overnight trading amid hopes that the U.S. is ready to end its bombing campaign on Iran and look for a diplomatic solution to resume transportation through the Strait of Hormuz. 

Benchmark indexes in Japan soared 4.5%, in South Korea surged 6%, and in India advanced 2.5%. 

China Indexes and Stocks 

The Hang Seng Index soared 2% to 25,276.65, and the mainland-focused CSI 300 Index advanced 1.4% to 4,513.65. 

Technology and AI-related stocks led gainers in Hong Kong trading on Tuesday.

Alibaba Group, Meituan, Tencent Holdings, SMIC, and Badu jumped between 3% and 5%. 

BYD, Xiaomi, and Geely Automobile Holding meandered in active trading. 

Sun Hung Kai Properties, Henderson Land Development, and China Vanke advanced between 2% and 3%. 

Japan's Indexes Drop 3% On Monday as Crude Oil Prices Crossed $115

Akira Ito
30 Mar, 2026
Tokyo

Escalating tensions in the Middle East and surging oil prices continued to weigh on stocks in Japan and Asia. 

The Nikkei 225 Stock Average decreased 2.8%, and the broader Topix declined 2.9%, and the yen weakened to 159.74 against the U.S. dollar. 

The steady slide in the yen raised the prospect of verbal intervention from the finance ministry, and Japan is set to release crude oil from the emergency reserve to counter energy supply shock because of the war on Iran. 

Tensions in the Middle East escalated after Iran-aligned Houthi rebels in Yemen launched missile attacks targeting energy infrastructure in Israel.

Benchmark indexes in Japan erased gains of the first two months of 2026 as the first quarter approached the closure.

The Topix index increased 1.9%, and the Nikkei 225 Stock Average decreased a fraction amid growing speculation that the Bank of Japan is more likely to raise rates next month. 

Japan Indexes and Stocks 

The Nikkei 225 Stock Average decreased 2.8% to 51,885.85, and the broader Topix declined 2.9% to 3,542.34. 

Stocks traded volatile as several stocks traded ex-dividend on Monday with the fiscal year ending in March. 

Nippon Yusen, Mitsui O.S.K. Lines, and Kawasaki Kisen Kaisha declined around 2%. 

Technology and AI-linked stocks led decliners in Tokyo on Monday, and SoftBank Group, Tokyo Electron, and Advantest Corp. fell between 6% and 4%.

Japan's Indexes Drop 3% On Monday as Crude Oil Prices Crossed $115

Akira Ito
30 Mar, 2026
Tokyo

Escalating tensions in the Middle East and surging oil prices continued to weigh on stocks in Japan and Asia. 

The Nikkei 225 Stock Average decreased 2.8%, and the broader Topix declined 2.9%, and the yen weakened to 159.74 against the U.S. dollar. 

The steady slide in the yen raised the prospect of verbal intervention from the finance ministry, and Japan is set to release crude oil from the emergency reserve to counter energy supply shock because of the war on Iran. 

Tensions in the Middle East escalated after Iran-aligned Houthi rebels in Yemen launched missile attacks targeting energy infrastructure in Israel.

Benchmark indexes in Japan erased gains of the first two months of 2026 as the first quarter approached the closure.

The Topix index increased 1.9%, and the Nikkei 225 Stock Average decreased a fraction amid growing speculation that the Bank of Japan is more likely to raise rates next month. 

Japan Indexes and Stocks 

The Nikkei 225 Stock Average decreased 2.8% to 51,885.85, and the broader Topix declined 2.9% to 3,542.34. 

Stocks traded volatile as several stocks traded ex-dividend on Monday with the fiscal year ending in March. 

Nippon Yusen, Mitsui O.S.K. Lines, and Kawasaki Kisen Kaisha declined around 2%. 

Technology and AI-linked stocks led decliners in Tokyo on Monday, and SoftBank Group, Tokyo Electron, and Advantest Corp. fell between 6% and 4%.

China Indexes Deepen 2026 Losses as Middle East Hostilities Widened

Li Chen
30 Mar, 2026
Hong Kong

Stocks in China and Hong Kong extended the previous week's losses as market sentiment deteriorated amid escalating Middle Eastern tensions. 

The Hang Seng Index decreased 1%, and the mainland-focused CSI 300 Index eased 0.2%, and Brent crude oil prices edged up 2%. 

Market sentiment remained fragile as Iran-aligned Houthi forces launched missile strikes targeting Israel, heightening risks to energy supply routes. 

Moreover, two China-bound oil tankers reversed course near the Strait of Hormuz, despite stable relationships between Tehran and Beijing.

China Indexes and Stocks 

The Hang Seng Index decreased 1% to 24,700.49, and the CSI 300 Index fell 0.2% to 4,493.24. 

As the month and the first quarter approached the closure, the Hang Seng was down 6.3%, and the CSI 300 Index had fallen 4.9%. 

PetroChina and CNOOC advanced more than 1.4% in Hong Kong trading, driven by higher crude oil and natural gas prices.

Technology stocks led decliners in Hong Kong and China, and CATL, BYD, SMIC, and Luxshare Precision fell between 1% and 3%. 

China Indexes Deepen 2026 Losses as Middle East Hostilities Widen

Li Chen
30 Mar, 2026
Hong Kong

Stocks in China and Hong Kong extended the previous week's losses as market sentiment deteriorated amid escalating Middle Eastern tensions. 

The Hang Seng Index decreased 1%, and the mainland-focused CSI 300 Index eased 0.2%, and Brent crude oil prices edged up 2%. 

Market sentiment remained fragile as Iran-aligned Houthi forces launched missile strikes targeting Israel, heightening risks to energy supply routes. 

Moreover, two China-bound oil tankers reversed course near the Strait of Hormuz, despite stable relationships between Tehran and Beijing.

China Indexes and Stocks 

The Hang Seng Index decreased 1% to 24,700.49, and the CSI 300 Index fell 0.2% to 4,493.24. 

As the month and the first quarter approached the closure, the Hang Seng was down 6.3%, and the CSI 300 Index had fallen 4.9%. 

PetroChina and CNOOC advanced more than 1.4% in Hong Kong trading, driven by higher crude oil and natural gas prices.

Technology stocks led decliners in Hong Kong and China, and CATL, BYD, SMIC, and Luxshare Precision fell between 1% and 3%. 

China's Indexes Trimmed Weekly Losses, Meituan and Kuaishou In Focus After Results

Li Chen
27 Mar, 2026
Hong Kong

Stocks in China and Hong Kong meandered amid persistent uncertainty over the Middle East conflict. 

The Hang Seng Index gained 0.4%, and the mainland-focused CSI 300 Index edged up 0.3% as the U.S. prepared for ground invasion. 

Stocks lacked direction amid worries that shipment of oil and gas through the Strait of Hormuz is likely to remain disrupted for many more weeks.

Moreover, the U.S. and Iran appeared to be further apart in their demands, and a ceasefire is increasingly unlikely. 

The U.S. president extended ceasefire talks by ten more days as the U.S. Navy and Air Force prepared for a ground invasion and to choke off Iran's energy shipments.

The U.S. is preparing to invade Kharg Island and Bandar Abbas as early as next week, and at least 7,000 military personnel are involved, according to sources close to the Pentagon in Washington, D.C. 

On the domestic economic front, China's industrial profit soared 15.2% in January-February from a year ago and expanded from 0.6% in 2025, according to the National Bureau of Statistics.

The pace of increase was the fastest since 2018, excluding the post-pandemic rebound of 2021, highlighting the strength of the recovery before the latest oil price shock driven by the conflict in the Middle East. 

China Indexes and Stocks 

The Hang Seng Index increased 0.4% to 24,941.07, and the mainland-focused CSI 300 Index advanced 0.3% to 4,495.52. 

Benchmark indexes in Hong Kong decreased 1% and in the mainland declined 3% after a week of chaotic trading. 

Meituan increased 1.4% to HK$87.90, despite the food and on-demand delivery platform operator reporting weaker-than-expected quarterly results. 

Adjusted net income in the fourth quarter swung to a loss of 15 billion yuan compared to a profit of 9.8 billion yuan a year ago. 

The intense price competition between Alibaba and JD.com negatively impacted the companies' quarterly results. 

Kuaishou Technology advanced 1% to HK $46.08 after the short video and live streaming video platform operator reported fourth-quarter results. 

Revenue rose 12% to 39.5 billion yuan, and the company plans to increase its capital expenditure by 70% to 26 billion yuan. 

The company plans to increase its investment in artificial infrastructure and foundational models and agents, co-founder and CEO Cheng Yixiao said on an earnings call with investors.