Middle east conflict

News over the weekend, including continued Houthi strikes in Riyadh has had negative impact on foreign currencies so far, especially those where the economy relies on energy imports. The EUR/USD is particularly vulnerable as lingering concerns over French fiscal policy continue to undermine the euro.

The global equity markets remain under pressure and with oil surging higher again this week, we have even more reason to remain cautious. Already, the S&P and Nasdaq were running support from only a handful of hyperscalers and AI stocks. But even these indices have started to take notice of the deteriorating market breadth and global indices. Still, for me, the ongoing weakness is becoming more evident in the Dow and the small-cap Russell 2000 indices, and as such I will continuing watching these markets closely to provide a more accurate signal about the health of the stock markets.

EUR/USD is slipping as oil and bond yields rise, while narrower French spreads offer some relief. FOMC minutes are in focus, with 1.1150–1.1180 the nearer downside area today.

The dollar was bouncing back at the time of writing, after it had eased overnight on the back of some weaker-than-expected economic data yesterday which had prompted markets to scale back expectations of an October Fed rate hike. However, with more significant US data due today and Friday, and with oil prices continuing to remain elevated, the dollar’s broader direction remains bullish.

Gold and silver prices took a plunge today, with the former down 3% and the latter falling some 5% by mid European session, before bouncing off their lows. The losses come after the metals remained largely supported until last week, despite the big dollar rally and surging bond yields as we have seen in recent weeks. But it simply got too much, and the metals succumbed to pressure today.

The week has started with stocks, gold, silver and bitcoin all falling, as crude oil rebounded and bond yields pushed further higher. Trump refusing to agree to Tehran’s proposal to re-open the Strait of Hormuz has left the markets disappointed. Still, reports that mediators are expected to hold talks with the two sides on an amended version of the 7-day proposal that Iran presented, keeps hopes alive that we may see some progress.

Oil prices and the U.S. dollar are both on the front foot as elevated energy costs feed Fed warnings that inflation may prove sticky.

US and global equity markets have extended Wednesday’s sell-off, with Wall Street opening lower after a weak handover from Asia and Europe. The deterioration in risk appetite has been spreading across global markets. The dollar was firmer, Treasury yields were holding onto yesterday’s gains, while gold, silver and bitcoin were all under pressure alongside equities and major currencies.

Gold prices have been falling in the last few days after last week’s post-FOMC pop faded amid rising interest rate expectations, higher oil prices and a strengthening US dollar. As before, I wasn’t convinced gold would thrive in the current macro backdrop.

The crude oil pullback from monthly highs is running ahead of the headlines, as WTI and Brent ease while Middle East tensions stay unresolved.