InvestMacro

On Tuesday, the US stock markets ended with a powerful rally. By the end of the day, the Dow Jones Index (US30) rose by 2.49%. The S&P 500 Index (US500) increased by 2.91%. The Tech Index NASDAQ (US100) closed higher by 3.43%. Investor optimism was triggered by signals of possible diplomatic de‑escalation: Iran’s President Masoud Pezeshkian, during international contacts, confirmed Tehran’s readiness for a ceasefire. The main conditions from the Iranian side were the provision of firm international security guarantees, payment of reparations, and recognition of the country’s sovereign rights, which the market interpreted as the first real “exit” from the hot phase of the conflict. The leaders of the recovery were technology giants, the most sensitive to geopolitical risks: Nvidia shares rose by 5.6%, and Microsoft by 3.1%. Despite Tuesday’s positive close, March results remain extremely painful for investors: the S&P 500 ended the month down 5.3%, its worst result since 2022.

The Canadian dollar reached 1.395 per US dollar, updating its lowest levels since December of last year. Despite positive domestic statistics, Canada’s economy grew by 0.2% in February due to a recovery in the mining and financial sectors, but the national currency could not withstand the global dominance of the US dollar. The main factor behind the weakening of the loonie was the widespread flight of investors into safe‑haven assets amid the prolonged conflict in the Middle East. The situation is worsened by the fact that the traditional support for the Canadian dollar from high oil prices is being offset by concerns over global economic growth. Markets are pricing in a prolonged supply shock scenario, in which Canada’s benefit from expensive commodities is overshadowed by a general decline in risk appetite.

European stock markets showed growth yesterday. Germany’s DAX (DE40) rose by 0.52%, France’s CAC 40 (FR40) closed up 0.57%, Spain’s IBEX 35 (ES35) gained 0.47%, and the UK’s FTSE 100 (UK100) closed 0.48% higher.

Silver (XAG) prices showed a local rise to 73 dollars per ounce. However, this short‑term interest does not change the catastrophic monthly dynamics: silver ends March with a decline of more than 20%, the worst monthly result in the past 14 years. At the moment, the asset is trading almost 40% below its historical highs recorded at the end of January 2026. Such a sharp collapse of the industrial and precious metals is due to a radical shift in the macroeconomic landscape caused by the war in the Middle East. The blockade of the Strait of Hormuz and the subsequent energy shock (Brent oil above 115 dollars) turned inflation from a temporary factor into a long‑term threat. This forced investors to completely revise their expectations for interest rates: before the war, the market expected two Fed rate cuts in 2026, but now traders have fully ruled out such a scenario, pricing in the continuation of tight credit conditions.

WTI oil prices showed a corrective decline, falling to 100 dollars per barrel. Earlier in the session, prices reached a local peak of 107 dollars, but the market reacted to diplomatic signals from Tehran. The easing of tensions coincided with a tactical pause in US actions. President Donald Trump temporarily suspended direct strikes on Iranian territory, giving traders hope for a partial resumption of tanker traffic from GCC countries through the Strait of Hormuz. At the moment, shipping in this key chokepoint is almost paralyzed, and freight rates have reached multi‑year highs.

Asian markets traded without a unified trend yesterday. Japan’s Nikkei 225 (JP225) fell by 1.58%, China’s FTSE China A50 (CHA50) declined by 0.47%, Hong Kong’s Hang Seng (HK50) rose by 0.15%, and Australia’s ASX 200 (AU200) posted a positive result of 0.25%.

China’s manufacturing sector in March 2026 experienced a noticeable cooling of growth rates, according to the PMI business‑activity Index from RatingDog. The decline of the indicator to 50.8 (after February’s 52.1) was more pronounced than the market expected (prediction 51.6). Although the Index remains above the 50‑point threshold separating growth from stagnation, the report revealed serious structural challenges caused by global instability.

Monday’s trading session on US stock exchanges was characterized by increased volatility and a pronounced sectoral split. By the end of Monday, the Dow Jones Index (US30) rose by 0.11%. The S&P 500 Index (US500) fell by 0.39%. The Tech Index NASDAQ (US100) closed lower by 0.73%. Despite Jerome Powell’s attempts to calm the markets by stating that the Federal Reserve does not plan to react to temporary spikes in energy prices, this only led to a local rise in the Dow Jones Index. The decline in US Treasury yields, which normally stimulates growth stocks, was unable to offset investor concerns about the security of Iran’s energy infrastructure and the stability of shipping routes through the Red Sea. Instead of buying cheaper tech assets, capital flowed into defensive instruments and energy companies. The elevated fear index confirms that market participants are not yet ready to believe in long‑term de‑escalation and prefer to hedge risks ahead of new developments from the conflict zone.

The Canadian dollar continues its downward trend, falling below 1.39 per US dollar and setting a new low since December of last year. Despite Canada being a major exporter of energy resources and global oil prices surging to 2022 levels due to the effective blockade of the Strait of Hormuz, the loonie is not receiving its usual support from the commodity rally. The main pressure factor is the global strengthening of the US dollar, which benefits from its “safe‑haven” status and expectations of continued Federal Reserve tightening.

European stock markets showed a confident rebound on Monday. Germany’s DAX (DE40) rose by 1.18%, France’s CAC 40 (FR40) closed up 0.92%, Spain’s IBEX 35 (ES35) gained 0.99%, and the UK’s FTSE 100 (UK100) closed up 1.61%. The main driver of growth was the temporary decline in government‑bond yields, which provided necessary support to indices during a period of strong oversold conditions. Despite the positive sentiment in equities, the situation in the energy sector remains extremely tense. Oil prices held at their 2022 peak levels due to ongoing threats from Houthi forces in the Red Sea and Donald Trump’s harsh rhetoric regarding a potential strike on Iran’s oil facilities. Nevertheless, investors temporarily shifted their focus from inflation risks to concerns about a broader slowdown in economic growth, triggering a decline in bond yields.

WTI oil prices are ending March with an unprecedented rally, settling at 101.7 dollars per barrel. Prices have risen more than 50% this month, a direct reaction to the full‑scale conflict in the Middle East that began in late February 2024. The main driver of fear in the market remains the effective blockade of the Strait of Hormuz, through which about 20% of global oil supplies pass. The situation escalated after Donald Trump shifted to a strategy of direct ultimatums. Despite his statements about “progress in negotiations” and a temporary halt to strikes until April 6, the US president clearly outlined targets for the next phase of the operation. If Iran does not immediately open the strait, power plants, oil wells, and the key export hub on Kharg Island will be targeted. Adding fuel to the fire is the expanding geography of hostilities: the involvement of Yemen’s Houthi rebels, who attacked Israel and threatened Saudi infrastructure, has created the risk of a large‑scale regional conflagration. With maritime transport nearly paralyzed and Washington’s diplomatic proposals rejected by Tehran as “illogical,” analysts warn that a surge in oil prices to 120 dollars in April becomes a realistic scenario if strikes on Iranian refineries begin.

The XNG showed a sharp decline, falling more than 5% to 2.866 dollars per MMBtu. The main driver of the drop was updated meteorological expectations predicting unusually warm weather on the US East Coast in the first half of April. The expected warming effectively ends the heating season, sharply reducing gas demand from households and utilities. The geopolitical agenda related to Donald Trump’s ultimatums toward Iran and uncertainty around the Strait of Hormuz has only an indirect impact on the US gas market. Unlike oil prices, US natural gas prices remain insulated from Middle Eastern tensions in the short term due to the self‑sufficiency of the American energy system and the limited dependence of domestic prices on global LNG export flows.

Asian markets also mostly declined yesterday. Japan’s Nikkei 225 (JP225) fell by 2.79%, China’s FTSE China A50 (CHA50) dropped by 0.08%, Hong Kong’s Hang Seng (HK50) declined by 0.81%, and Australia’s ASX 200 (AU200) posted a negative result of 0.65%.

On Tuesday, the AUD held near 0.686 US dollars, trading close to a two‑month low. March became the worst month for the aussie since late 2024, with a cumulative decline of about 3.6%. Although interest‑rate decisions supported the currency at the beginning of the month, by the end of the quarter, market sentiment shifted from fighting inflation to concerns about slowing global economic growth. Minutes from the March meeting of the RBA added uncertainty. After two rate hikes this year, the regulator acknowledged that the prolonged Middle East conflict creates a dual threat: on one hand, it fuels inflation through higher energy prices; on the other, it suppresses business activity. The RBA board emphasized the need for a delicate balance, causing investors to doubt the straightforwardness of further policy tightening.

On Friday, the US stock markets continued their active decline, hitting the lowest levels in the past seven months amid fears of global stagflation. By the end of Friday, the Dow Jones Index (US30) fell by 1.73% (down -1.39% for the week). The S&P 500 Index (US500) declined by 1.67% (down -3.13% for the week). The Tech Index NASDAQ (US100) closed lower by 1.93% (down -4.69% for the week). The sharp rise in energy prices has effectively deprived investors of hope for Federal Reserve policy easing this year, while additional pressure came from China’s launch of a trade investigation against the United States in response to tariff measures.

The technology sector is experiencing a massive capital outflow, which has seriously undermined the positions of companies linked to the artificial‑intelligence industry. Shares of giants such as Tesla, Amazon, and Oracle lost more than 3%, while worsening credit conditions triggered a similar decline in JPMorgan and Visa. The most dramatic drop was seen in Meta, whose market value plunged by 12% in recent days due to large‑scale layoffs and an unfavorable court ruling declaring the social network addictive.

The Mexican peso weakened, breaking through the psychological level of 18 per US dollar and reaching its lowest value since the beginning of winter. The main reason for this dynamic was the narrowing interest‑rate differential between the US and Mexico, which made previously popular carry‑trade strategies less attractive. Investors reacted to the unexpected decision by the Bank of Mexico to resume its monetary‑policy easing cycle and cut the rate to 6.75%, despite inflation accelerating to 4.63% in mid‑March. The regulator was driven by slowing domestic economic activity and negative labor‑market data showing rising unemployment and persistently high informal employment.

European stock markets closed lower but remained in positive territory for the week. Germany’s DAX (DE40) fell by 1.38% (up +1.61% for the week), France’s CAC 40 (FR40) closed down 0.87% (up +2.12% for the week), Spain’s IBEX 35 (ES35) declined by 0.95% (up +2.53% for the week), and the UK’s FTSE 100 (UK100) closed down by 0.05% (up +0.49% for the week). Price pressure in the oil market has already begun to translate into real inflation indicators. The scale of the problem was most clearly reflected in Spain, where consumer‑price growth in March reached multi‑year highs, showing the sharpest monthly jump since the 2022 crisis. Against this backdrop, the banking sector continued to suffer losses due to instability in the sovereign‑debt market, leading to noticeable declines in shares of giants such as BBVA, UniCredit, and Deutsche Bank.

The oil market opened the week with strong gains, rising about 3% and consolidating above the psychological level of 102 dollars per barrel. Investors are increasingly skeptical about a quick end to the conflict in Iran, which has now entered its second month. The situation was further complicated by the direct involvement of Yemen’s Houthi rebels, who launched missile strikes on Israeli territory over the weekend and declared their intention to continue attacks until pressure on Tehran ceases. Another destabilizing factor is the ability of rebel groups to disrupt shipping in the Red Sea and attack strategic facilities in Saudi Arabia.

Asian markets also mostly rose last week. Japan’s Nikkei 225 (JP225) gained 1.72% for the trading week, China’s FTSE China A50 (CHA50) rose by 0.45%, Hong Kong’s Hang Seng (HK50) increased by 0.66%, and Australia’s ASX 200 (AU200) posted a five‑day gain of 2.81%.

Monday’s trading session in Asian markets opened with a noticeable decline, as the armed confrontation in the Middle East entered its fifth week with no visible prospects for de‑escalation. The geopolitical situation worsened after Donald Trump’s high‑profile statements about a possible takeover of Iran’s oil resources, coinciding with active involvement in the conflict by Yemen’s Houthi rebels, who carried out attacks on Israeli territory.