Market Overview - President Trump's ultimatum to Iran has led to a global market selloff, with stocks and bonds declining as tensions in the Middle East escalate [1][2] - The conflict has now entered its fourth week, with no signs of de-escalation, further impacting investor sentiment [2] Oil and Gas Prices - Brent crude oil prices surpassed $113 per barrel, while West Texas Intermediate (WTI) reached $100 before a slight decrease [4] - Average U.S. gas prices are approaching $4 per gallon, indicating rising energy costs for consumers [4] Stock Market Performance - Major Asian stock indexes experienced significant declines, with Japan's Nikkei down 3.5% and South Korea's KOSPI dropping nearly 6% [4] - The MSCI global equities gauge has fallen to its lowest level since November 2025, and European shares also opened lower, with the STOXX 600 down more than 2% [5] Bond Market Dynamics - Government bonds have faced a selloff, with ten-year U.S. Treasury yields reaching their highest levels in nine months [6] - Market expectations indicate a 75% chance of a Federal Reserve rate increase by the end of the year, reflecting concerns over inflation [6] Currency and Gold Market - The dollar has strengthened against a basket of major currencies, while gold prices continue to decline, leading investors to favor cash as a safer option [7] - The Japanese government is prepared to intervene in foreign exchange markets as the yen approaches the $160 threshold, amidst ongoing volatility [8]