Core Viewpoint - The ongoing conflict in Iran has led to a significant decline in traditional safe-haven assets, prompting investors to seek alternative strategies to protect their portfolios amid rising volatility and political uncertainty [2][3][9]. Summary by Category Traditional Safe Havens - Gold and silver, typically seen as safe-haven assets, have experienced substantial declines, with SPDR Gold Shares (GLD) down over 14% and iShares Silver Trust (SLV) down more than 25% since the conflict began [3]. - Bonds, which are usually considered a safe harbor, have also faltered, with Vanguard Total Bond Market ETF (BND) down 2.2% this year, and the yield on the 10-year Treasury rising to 4.34% from 3.96% prior to the war [8]. Dividend-Paying Stocks - Dividend-paying stocks, often viewed as a buffer against political turmoil, have seen a decline, with Schwab U.S. Dividend Equity ETF (SCHD) down more than 4% since the onset of hostilities [5]. - The utilities sector, known for stable cash flows, has not fared much better, with State Street Utilities Select Sector SPDR (XLU) down nearly 4% [6]. Sector Performance - Among the 11 S&P 500 sectors, only the energy sector has shown positive performance, with State Street Energy Select Sector SPDR (XLE) up nearly 11% and United States Oil Fund (USO) experiencing a 58% increase due to rising oil prices [7][10]. - The overall performance of the S&P 500 has been negative, with the State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF Trust (SPY) down 7.9% since the beginning of the conflict [10]. Cryptocurrency - Cryptocurrency, particularly Bitcoin, has shown resilience, with iShares Bitcoin Trust (IBIT) gaining 1.3% since the start of the war, positioning it as a potential alternative to traditional safe havens [4].

RT SolanaFloor (@SolanaFloor)🚨JUST IN: Crypto has been outperforming both stocks and traditional safe haven assets since global markets reopened on March 2 following the Iran war that began over the Feb. 28 weekend. What’s driving the move?Since then, $SOL is up 13.4% and $BTC is up 12%, while the S&P 500 is down 2.62% over the same period. More unusually, Gold, typically viewed as the primary geopolitical hedge, is down about 7.4%.One explanation is persistent institutional buying of Bitcoin, led by Strate ...

Core Insights - Gold stocks maintain a significant presence on the IBD 50, with some mining companies experiencing pullbacks and forming new bases [1] - Gold prices have risen as investors seek safe-haven assets amid market volatility, but recent strength in the dollar has pressured gold and silver prices [1] - Equinox Gold and Pan American Silver are highlighted as IBD 50 mining stocks currently in bases, both holding a top IBD Composite Rating of 99 [1] Company Summaries - **Equinox Gold**: Formed an ascending base with a buy point at 18.96. Expected full-year 2026 profit is projected to increase to $1.24 per share from 30 cents per share in 2025, with revenue anticipated to rise 94% to $3.5 billion [1] - **Pan American Silver**: Currently in a cup-with-handle base with an entry point of 68.91. Analysts forecast a 79% increase in full-year 2026 earnings [1] Market Trends - Several IBD 50 gold stocks are extended from base breakouts, with potential buying opportunities if they bounce off the 10-week moving average [1] - Franco-Nevada rebounded off its 10-week line at 251, while Agnico Eagle Mines pulled back to its 10-week line near 213 [1] - Minas Buenaventura is testing its 10-week line near 37, and Wheaton Precious Metals is also testing its 10-week line around 143 [1] Stock Movements - Royal Gold, Eldorado Gold, Coeur Mining, and Newmont have recently fallen off the IBD 50 list but may rejoin if performance improves [1] - Royal Gold is in a cup with handle pattern with a buy point of 304.70, while Eldorado Gold is in a consolidation pattern with a 51.16 entry [1]

In times of conflict, investors look for safe havens. But some of the usual ones aren't looking so safe at the moment. Here's why.Like oil tankers in the straight of Hormuz, investors seek out safe ports. Usually that's in the form of gold and US government bonds. But that wasn't really the case in the early aftermath of the US strikes on Iran.Through midday Thursday, gold was actually down more than 3% from the prior week. and US Treasury yields have risen each day since the conflict began. That means the ...

Core Insights - Goldman Sachs CEO David Solomon expressed surprise at the "benign" market reaction to the Middle East conflict, suggesting it may take a few weeks for investors to fully understand the implications [1][2]. Market Reactions - Financial markets have shown muted responses to geopolitical events unless they directly impact economic growth, with Solomon noting a lack of cumulative effects thus far [2]. - Oil prices have surged due to concerns over supply amid the conflict, raising inflation worries, while global stock indexes have declined and the U.S. dollar has strengthened as investors seek safe havens [3]. Economic Outlook - Despite geopolitical tensions, Solomon highlighted strong macroeconomic tailwinds, including an easing monetary cycle and relaxed regulatory practices, which support a positive growth trajectory for the U.S. economy [4].

>> GOOD MORNING. IT IS MONDAY, MARCH 2. RISK IS OFF.SENTIMENT VOLATILE ON REPORTS IRAN THAT AN EXTRAORDINARY WEEKEND. OIL OPENING WITH THE BIGGEST SURGE IN FOUR YEARS, GAINS PAIRING SOMEWHAT BUT DECLINING AGAIN, PRINT TO $78 PER BARREL, UP 8.3% NEARLY. GOLD HIGHER AND EUROPEAN STOCKS OPEN LOWER.THE FUTURE'S PICTURE DOWN MORE THAN 2%. THE 50 -- FTSE CUSHIONED SOMEWHAT BECAUSE OF EXPOSURE TO ENERGY AND DEFENSIVE SECTORS. THE COUNTDOWN TO THE OPENING TRADE STARTS NOW.PRES. TRUMP: COMBAT OPERATIONS CONTINUE AT ...

>> COMBAT OPERATIONS CONTINUE AT THIS TIME IN FULL FORCE, AND THEY WILL CONTINUE UNTIL ALL OF OUR OBJECTIVES ARE ACHIEVED. VONNIE: IT IS 5:00 A.M. IN NEW YORK CITY. GOOD MORNING. I AM VONNIE QUINN WITH YOUR "BLOOMBERG BRIEF. " FUTURES SLIDE, OIL AND GAS SPIKE AS A CONFLICT BETWEEN THE U.S. AND IRAN RATTLES MARKETS. KUWAIT HAS A NUMBER OF U.S. FIGHTER JETS HAVE CRASHED. CREWS HAVE SURVIVED. LET'S HAVE A LOOK AT THESE MARKETS. WE ARE SEEING BRENT AND WTI RISE. WE ARE OFF OUR HIGHS OF THE SESSION, OPENED ALMOS ...

♪ ANNOUNCER: NEWSMAKERS AND MARKET MOVERS. THIS IS "THE PULSE." JOUMANNA: GOOD MORNING AND WELCOME TO "THE PULSE," I’M JOUMANN OF A BERSETCHE. LET’S BRING IN ALEC BIEBER.WE’VE SEEN A JUMP IN THE P. M. I.HIGHER THAN FORECAST. TALK TO US THROUGH THESE NUMBERS. >> THE NUMBERS ARE AFFIRMING WE’RE CONTINUING TO GROW IN THE EURO ZONE BUT THE TAKEAWAY IN TODAY’S NUMBERS IS WHEN YOU LOOK AT THE MANUFACTURING SECTOR, ESPECIALLY IN GERMANY AND NOW THE P.M. I. INDICATOR JUMPED TO ABOVE 50, THE NUMBER THAT INDICATES GR ...

Market Overview - The stock market experienced significant volatility, with the S&P 500 falling 2.6% before recovering some losses on Friday [1] - Bitcoin and gold also saw dramatic fluctuations, with Bitcoin dropping around 20% and gold falling approximately 7% before regaining some value [1] Gold Market Insights - Gold prices have risen to just under $5,000, marking a 14% increase year-to-date, with expectations for further price increases [4] - JPMorgan analysts predict gold prices could reach $6,300 per ounce by year-end, representing a potential 25% increase driven by demand from central banks and investors [5] - Factors contributing to gold's rise include geopolitical instability, the debasement of fiat currencies, and concerns over debt levels [5] Volatility and Investment Sentiment - The recent price movements in gold reflect a level of volatility that diminishes its traditional role as a stable store of value [6] - The price action in gold has mirrored that of stocks, leading some investors to adopt a wait-and-see approach while others took the opportunity to buy during dips [7] - The contrasting performance of stocks and gold highlights the challenges faced by safe-haven assets in current economic and political conditions [10]

Core Insights - The market has experienced a significant downturn, with over $10 trillion in market value lost from gold and silver in just three days, indicating a major episode of wealth destruction in modern metals [2][3] - Spot gold prices fell below $4,500 per ounce, a decline of nearly $1,000 in three trading days, while silver dropped below $72, marking a nearly 40% loss from recent highs [3] - The decline in gold and silver market capitalization was approximately $7.4 trillion for gold and $2.7 trillion for silver, surpassing the total market value of the cryptocurrency market [3] Market Dynamics - The sudden market movements occurred without a clear catalyst, raising concerns about liquidity, monetary policy, and the role of traditional safe-haven assets [4] - The Federal Reserve's anticipated balance-sheet contraction, as indicated by incoming Fed Chair Kevin Warsh, is contributing to market repricing, suggesting reduced liquidity for various asset classes [5] Impact on Crypto Market - The cryptocurrency market has also been affected, losing over $430 billion in market value within four days, reflecting fears of a liquidity-driven unwind across asset classes [6] - Both Bitcoin and Ethereum have experienced significant declines, with overall crypto sentiment deteriorating rapidly [6]