周末 中东股市暴跌！

Group 1: Market Impact - Middle Eastern stock markets experienced significant declines due to escalating conflict between Israel and Iran, with Egypt's stock market suffering the most, recording its largest drop in five years [2][3] - The EGX 30 index in Egypt fell by as much as 7.7% before slightly recovering, while the Egyptian pound dropped to a low of 1 USD to 50.6 EGP [3] - Israel's stock index managed to rebound by 0.6%, supported by gains in defense contractor Elbit Systems, which produces military equipment [3][4] Group 2: Oil and Commodity Prices - Oil prices surged amid fears of potential disruptions to Iranian oil exports, with predictions that prices could exceed 120 USD per barrel if Iranian supplies were completely halted [5] - The demand for safe-haven assets like gold and the US dollar increased as investors sought refuge from the heightened geopolitical risks [2] Group 3: Broader Economic Context - The Middle Eastern markets were already under pressure from oil price volatility, geopolitical uncertainties, and fiscal strains in several countries, including Saudi Arabia [2][3] - The ongoing conflict has further dampened hopes for a quick recovery in the region's markets and has increased the demand for defensive assets [2][3] Group 4: Strategic Insights - Analysts suggest that the current geopolitical tensions may lead to a shift in market sentiment, with a potential focus on defensive sectors such as oil and precious metals [14][22] - The conflict has raised concerns about the impact on global risk appetite, which could affect various asset classes, including equities [14][22]