📌 ISRAEL–IRAN CONFLICT: OIL SPIKES, MARKETS SWING, GOLD HITS NEW HIGH

⏱ Over the past 24 hours, the escalating conflict between Israel and Iran has sent shockwaves across global markets. Israeli airstrikes on Iranian energy facilities pushed U.S. crude oil prices up by over 7%, reaching their highest level in four months. Meanwhile, gold – the go-to safe haven – surged to record highs amid a widespread “Risk-Off” sentiment.

📉 On Friday, U.S. stocks reacted sharply, with the Dow Jones index dropping over 750 points. However, by Monday morning, futures began recovering, hinting at market attempts to stabilize.

🪙 The crypto market wasn’t immune either. Bitcoin hovered around $104,500, and Ethereum remained stable near $2,520, reflecting a cautious wait-and-see attitude among investors.

📦 Adding complexity to the global picture, the U.S. and China recently made progress on a rare earth trade agreement. Yet, the unresolved issue of military-related usage remains controversial, creating further market uncertainty—especially in Europe and Hong Kong, where stocks posted minor gains amid defensive sentiment.

📅 Lastly, this week’s central bank decisions are highly anticipated. The Bank of Japan (June 17) and the Federal Reserve (June 19) are set to announce interest rate policies. In such a tense geopolitical climate, any hawkish signal could disrupt global capital flows.

🧭 Question for the community:

Do you think the Israel–Iran conflict will escalate into a broader war, or will it be contained like previous flare-ups?

#Geopolitics #GlobalMarkets #InvestorWatch