With thewidening of the conflict in Middle East the situation of the worsens stock lists mostly put up for sale together with the bonds, while it is the dollar to return to its old role as a reference currency that it had lost over the last year. With thesoaring energy prices they go up fears for the global economy, passing through a potential peak of inflation, not to mention the impact on investor confidence and growth.
Iranians will open fire on anyone attempting to cross the Strait of Hormuz. Energy prices soar.
Donald Trump He defended his willingness to take action on Iran with a full-scale war by saying that the United States will do “whatever it takes” to achieve its military objectives in Iran. A senior US official Iranian Revolutionary Guards announced today that it Strait of Hormuz is closed to maritime traffic and that the country will open fire on any vessel attempting to pass through it.
The threat had a immediate impact, raising the rental cost of a supertanker to carry oil from the Middle East to China at a record high of more than $400.000 a day, LSEG data showed. After the surge in oil prices oil and gas yesterday's futures on Brent crude oil mark another 2% gain, settling at $79,22 today. In the markets of natural gas, European and Asian LNG reference prices have jumped by about 40% yesterday, however far from the levels recorded at the beginning of the conflict between Russia and Ukraine in 2022.
La air war continues to intensify, with reports of damage to the US embassy in Riyadh and the Amazon data center in the United Arab Emirates and Bahrain.
The dollar regains its safe-haven appeal. Gold remains supported.
The U.S. dollar index, which measures the greenback's strength against a basket of six major currencies, held near maximum of six weeks at 98,499, as the currency regained some of its allure asset sheltersor which had been called into question after Trump's tariff decisions last year. The dollar strengthens against the'EUR which is worth 1,1665 (-0,12%) and the yen (+0,01% to 157,304).
The fell 0,4% to $5.307,08. The Bitcoin fell 2,1% to $67.937,84, while the Ether fell 2,3% to $1.995,50.
Wall Street closes on a rebound yesterday as it believes in technology
IERI (Yesterday) Wall Street has seen one volatile session, which began with a decline in reaction to the crisis in the Middle East, but ended with a recovery with investors taking advantage of the lows to enter the market. Some analysts see this behavior as investors' hopes for a temporary conflict. The Dow Jones limited its initial decline to -0,15% at the close. The S&P remained stable at +0,04%, and the Nasdaq rose 0,36%. Initially, the conflict caused the defense titles and those energy, putting pressure on the travel sector stocks with those of the airline companies plummeted due to flight cancellations, higher jet fuel costs and widespread airspace closures in the Middle East. Investors then flocked to the technology sector.
The surge of energy prices complicates the efforts of the Federal Reserve to keep inflation under control. The Secretary of State Marco Rubio he said the United States will adopt measures to mitigate rising energy prices caused by the Iranian conflict and will announce the his plans later today. Yesterday, ISM manufacturing data showed that US activity grew steadily in February, but one indicator of producer prices has reached a nearly 3 year high due to the duties, highlighting upward pressure on inflation even before the US-led attacks on Iran. According to the FedWatch tool, Fed Funds futures price in a 97,5% implied probability that the US central bank will keep its stance unchanged at the end of its next two-day meeting, the 18 MarchThe odds of an unchanged position in June, previously less than 50%, increased slightly yesterday.
Fears of rising inflation weighed on US government bonds whose ten-year yields have seen their biggest increase since OctoberThe yield on the 10-year Treasury note rose 10 basis points to 4,03%.
This morning i US futures they are heavy: -0,81% on the Dow Jones and -0,91% on the S&P500.
Asia is in the red. The worst performer is the Korean Kospi index (-6%). The exception is Singapore.
Most Asian stock markets are down. The MSCI broad index of Asia-Pacific shares fell 1,5%, extending its losses for a second day. South Korea's Kospi index is the worst performer in Asia and lost 6%. Local stocks were also hit by a wave of profit taking After a strong performance in February, chip industry leaders SK Hynix Inc and Samsung Electronics, together with the car manufacturer Hyundai Motor – who had benefited from optimism about artificial intelligence – fall between 5% and 8%.
In JapanThe Nikkei 225 and TOPIX indices lost more than 2%. At the macro level, capital spending increased sharply in the fourth quarter in Japan, indicating some resilience in growth. However, the unemployment rate unexpectedly rose in January. Bank of Japan Deputy Governor Ryozo Himino said yesterday that the central bank would likely continue raising interest rates. Japanese Finance Minister Satsuki Katayama warned currency markets, suggesting that intervention remains an option for defend the yen, which has come under increased selling pressure following the crisis in the Middle East.
In China, the Shanghai Shenzhen CSI 300 falls 0,6%. By March 11, China's leadership is expected to outline the 15th five-year plan for the period 2026-2030, with expected priorities for technological and industrial development. Local media also suggest that Beijing will present plans for further stimulus measures, in the face of weak economic growth over the past five years. The Hang Seng Index Hong Kong drops by 0,5%, with the rises in some energy and technology stocks which helped limit overall losses.
The exception is the Straits Times Index Singapore, up 0,9% thanks to gains in local energy stocks, while futures on the Indian Nifty 50 index fell 0,6%.
The Australian ASX 200 index fell 1,3% as attention turned to fourth-quarter gross domestic product data. Australian markets They were also shaken by comments from Reserve Bank of Australia Governor Michele Bullock, who suggested a further rate hike could be possible in March. Bullock warned of inflationary risks stemming from a prolonged conflict in the Middle East.
European stock markets opened sharply lower. At the Milan Stock Exchange, Lottomatica and Leonardo are all eyes on the stock market.
Le European stock exchanges They are expected to open lower again, after burning €314 billion yesterday. Eurostoxx 50 futures are down 1,5% before the opening.
MPS According to the press, a new board meeting will be held tomorrow to approve the outgoing board's lists. It's unclear whether Lovaglio will be a member. Other names include Palermo, Vivaldi, and Passera.
Italy – Strong start to the subscription period for the new BTP Valore issue at €6 billion on the first day. The 6-year maturity has a step-up system (2,5%/2,8%/3,5% every two years and a 0,8% bonus at maturity).
Leonardo Citi raised its target price to €60, from €48,40. The Neutral rating is confirmed.
Lottomatica – It closed 2025 with revenues of €2.255 million, up 12% year-over-year; €615 million in Q4 2025, up 5%. Adjusted EBITDA of €856 million, up 21%; €239 million in Q4 2025, up 7%.
Stellantis – According to calculations Reuters Based on data from the Ministry of Transport, in February the group achieved a 27,2% year-over-year increase in registrations in Italy. The automotive market grew by 14%.
Tim Intesa Sanpaolo raised its target price to €0,70, from €0,64 previously. The Buy rating is confirmed.
Mayor – Tecnimont subsidiary has been awarded an EPC contract worth approximately $1,3 billion for the construction of a petrochemical project.
