The Dow Jones Industrial Average (^DJI) was down 710.40 (-1.55%) points today, falling to 45,249.71. Similarly, Dow Futures (YM=F) was down 685.00 (-1.48%) points at 45,545.00. The primary narrative driving this sharp decline was the release of the February Personal Consumption Expenditures (PCE) price index, which revealed that inflationary pressures remain more persistent than economists had anticipated. This data, combined with hawkish policy signals from Federal Reserve officials, led traders to price o ...

In this article, we will look at Jim Cramer’s stock calls and the truth about strong consumer spending despite the Iran conflict. On Monday, the host of Mad Money talked about how consumer spending is holding up even as tensions rise amid the conflict with Iran. It all starts with retail. That’s how everything works in this country. We see the strengths and weaknesses of the consumer at the register, and we make judgments because our country’s economy is based on service, not manufacturing. And all I can sa ...

Bitcoin is holding steady despite the turmoil of the war in the Gulf, but analysts warn that the price’s strength relies on three factors. The top cryptocurrency is trading around $71,000 as the Iran war enters its fourth week, some 43% below its $126,000 October all-time high. Bitcoin is “demonstrating resilience in the face of a genuine macro shock,” Rachael Lucas, crypto analyst at BTC Markets, told DL News. Lucas notes that Bitcoin has gained roughly 7% since hostilities began, “outperforming equit ...

Gold futures kept tumbling Monday despite President Trump’s halt on military strikes against Iran as investors continued to fret that the conflict could stall interest-rate cuts.Though Trump on Monday announced a five-day pause on plans to strike Iranian power plants following “productive” talks, gold futures on Monday dipped as low as $4,126 an ounce – their lowest price of 2026.By approximately 1:10 p.m. ET, gold futures were down 3.7% to $4,406.30 an ounce while silver futures traded roughly flat at $69. ...

Federal Reserve Gov. Stephen Miran reaffirmed his preference for four interest rate cuts this year in support of the labor market despite rising oil prices. ...

Market Overview - Major stock indices closed lower for the fourth consecutive week, with the Russell 2000 down 2.61% at 2,429, officially in correction territory, and the Nasdaq down 2.01% at 21,647. The S&P 500 was last seen at 6,506, down 1.51%, with concerns about breaking the 6,600 support level leading to potential further selling. The Dow Jones Industrial Average fared better, ending at 45,577, down 0.96% [2][7]. Treasury Bonds - Treasury yields rose again, with the 30-year long bond finishing at 4.96% and the benchmark ten-year note at 4.38%. The rise in inflation and the belief that interest rate cuts may not occur until summer have contributed to selling pressure. A potential buying opportunity is noted if the 10-year note hits 4.75% [3]. Oil and Gas - Oil prices increased, with Brent crude finishing up 3.62% at $112.60 and West Texas Intermediate up 2.87% at $98.29. Despite efforts by the U.S. to increase supply, prices remain elevated. Natural gas, however, closed down 2.24% at $3.10 [5]. Gold and Silver - Both gold and silver continued to decline, with gold finishing at $4,487, down 3.4%, and silver at $67.97, down 6.45%. The decline is attributed to a stronger U.S. dollar, rising Treasury yields, and reduced expectations for immediate interest rate cuts. The surge in oil prices has heightened inflation concerns, leading investors to liquidate gold positions [6].

Core Viewpoint - The Federal Reserve's decision to maintain interest rates amid high inflation and surging oil prices due to the Iran war is negatively impacting metals and mining stocks, with potential interest rate cuts delayed until 2027 [1] Group 1: Market Conditions - Metal prices are declining despite traditional demand boosts from war, as the U.S. dollar and bonds are favored as safe-haven assets due to high interest rates [2] - Operational costs for miners are rising sharply due to increased fuel costs, with Brent crude oil prices up over 50% since the onset of the Iran war [2] - The metals and mining sector is facing challenges from high interest rates, rising energy costs, a stronger dollar, and fears of an economic slowdown, affecting metal prices and miner resilience [6] Group 2: Company Performance - Newmont Corporation's shares fell 13.5% this week and over 25% since the Iran war, despite generating record free cash flow of $7.3 billion in 2025 and reducing debt by $3.4 billion [3][7] - Barrick Mining shares have also seen significant declines, but the company plans to spin off its North American gold assets to unlock shareholder value [3][7] - Hecla Mining's stock has dropped over 50% from its January high, but the company is in a strong financial position and is selling a non-performing gold mine to generate cash [3][8] - Wheaton Precious Metals, a streaming company with 52% exposure to gold and 46% to silver, has lost 18% in one week and 30% in March, but its business model mitigates the impact of high fuel costs [4][8] - BHP's shares have fallen nearly 20% in March, but the company is recognized for its strong cash flow and margins, with a strategic pivot towards copper under new CEO Brandon Craig [4][9]

Bloomberg Bond traders are scrambling for a new strategy after the oil-driven inflation shock triggered by the war in Iran scuppered the popular bet on interest-rate cuts from the Federal Reserve. The trade suffered a total blowout this week as warnings from key central banks on inflation sent short-maturity yields soaring, and as traders fully erased expectations for further Fed easing in 2026. Most Read from Bloomberg By Friday, with global benchmark oil prices holding around the highest since 2022, ...

TimesSquare Capital Management, an equity investment management company, released its “U.S. Focus Growth Strategy” fourth-quarter 2025 investor letter. A copy of the letter can be downloaded here. The strategy returned -3.55% (gross) and -3.76% (net) in the fourth quarter compared to a -3.70% return for the Russell Midcap Growth Index. In 2025, the strategy returned 14.84% (gross) and 13.88% (net) compared to 8.66% for the index. Global equity markets ended the quarter on a positive note, with Europe leadin ...

The Morning Catch-Up: ASX set to ease as oil volatility drives sentiment Proactive uses images sourced from Shutterstock Australian shares are set to open slightly lower, with ASX 200 futures pointing down 5 points or 0.1% to 8530 at around 7.30am AEDT, after recovering from earlier losses of more than 40 points. The cautious start follows a volatile session on Thursday, when the S&P/ASX 200 dropped 142.8 points, or 1.65%, as surging oil prices and geopolitical tensions rattled investor sentiment. Local ...