Stock Market
By Bruce Buterin
1 / 15
The dollar's winning streak continues. Geopolitical tensions with Iran pushed the greenback higher for a second straight week, with investors scrambling for safety amid fears of…
2 / 15
Iran cranked up the pressure Wednesday by announcing plans to boost uranium enrichment, basically thumbing its nose at global sanctions and diplomatic efforts.
3 / 15
Markets don't mess around with this stuff.
4 / 15
The dollar index climbed 0.4% to 105.37 Thursday, hitting levels not seen since late February.
5 / 15
Fed Chair Jerome Powell didn't help matters Tuesday when he floated the possibility of more rate hikes if inflation stays stubborn.
6 / 15
But oil tells the real story here. Brent crude surged to $85.43 per barrel, up 2.1% since Monday's open.
7 / 15
Goldman Sachs analysts jumped in Thursday with a note saying dollar strength could persist "as long as tensions remain unresolved.
8 / 15
The Iranian rial's getting crushed, naturally. Local reports Friday showed it trading around 500,000 rials per dollar in black markets, a brutal reminder of what happens when…
9 / 15
China's playing it careful. The People's Bank let the yuan weaken slightly against the dollar Friday, probably trying to keep exports competitive while avoiding any appearance of…
10 / 15
Australia's dollar took a hit too, falling 0.6% to $0.663. That's what happens when you're a trade-dependent economy and global tensions spike.
11 / 15
European Central Bank President Christine Lagarde speaks next week. Her comments could move the euro, especially if she addresses how Middle East tensions might affect European…
12 / 15
Barclays economists revised their forecasts, now expecting dollar strength through Q2. They're betting geopolitical developments will trump traditional economic fundamentals for…
13 / 15
Gold jumped to $1,980 per ounce Thursday as investors hedged their bets. The precious metal often rallies alongside the dollar during crisis periods, breaking the usual inverse…
14 / 15
Citigroup warned Friday that currency volatility could spike further if Iran or Western powers make unexpected moves.
15 / 15
The Bank of Japan held rates steady Friday, sticking with ultra-loose policy despite the yen's safe haven status.
The Currency Analytics
Want the full story?