Oil shock slams Wall Street, with Dow futures losing nearly 2%

Dow Jones futures tumbled sharply — down roughly 1.74% — as oil prices spiked. The energy market reacted to a sharp escalation in the Middle East conflict, heightening fears of supply disruptions and pushing prices higher. That is a clear negative for equities: expensive oil increases inflationary pressures and raises the risk of a stagflation scenario, in which slowing growth comes with rising prices.

Investors are increasingly taking defensive positions, which is visible in market sentiment: the Fear & Greed index remains stuck in the "fear" zone. That means market participants are pricing in elevated uncertainty and the potential for higher volatility. As long as the geopolitical backdrop stays tense, equity markets are likely to react to every headline with sharp moves. Follow the link for more details.

Expensive oil hits EUR: USD strengthens amid stagflation risks

The sharp rise in oil prices is adding pressure to the euro, pushing the currency lower against the US dollar. Energy inflation is typically harder on the European economy, which is more dependent on energy imports. As a result, markets are starting to price in higher inflation expectations and weaker economic prospects for the region.

At the same time, demand for the dollar as a safe-haven asset is rising. Against the backdrop of geopolitical tensions and stagflation concerns, investors prefer highly liquid, resilient assets. That supports the US currency and adds pressure on European assets, particularly during sharp commodity moves. Follow the link for more details.

Trump's remarks support markets: S&P 500 bounces off lows

The US equity market staged a recovery from recent pressure after President Donald Trump signalled a possible de-escalation in the Middle East. The optimistic political cue helped indices step back from local lows, and the S&P 500 put in a noticeable bounce. Investors interpreted the prospect of reduced tensions as a factor that could stabilize energy markets and ease inflation risks.

Still, the market remains highly sensitive to geopolitics and macro expectations. Stagflation fears and ongoing military confrontation prevent a wholesale return to risk-on strategies. In this environment, index swings are likely to be sharper. For active traders, this often means additional trading opportunities. High volatility creates chances to profit from moves, especially when trading with low commissions and tight spreads offered by InstaForex. Follow the link for more details.