Stock Market

Story: Trump Iran Threats Send Dollar Higher as Markets Scramble

By Steven Anderson

1 / 15

Energy Prices Surge on Supply Fears. Brent crude shot up 2.5% to $72 per barrel as geopolitical risk premiums kicked in hard.

2 / 15

Central Bank Officials React. European Central Bank President Christine Lagarde said she's concerned about potential economic…

3 / 15

Trump cranked up pressure on Iran Thursday. His latest threats shook forex markets worldwide, pushing traders into defensive positions as geopolitical tensions spiked across the…

4 / 15

The dollar jumped 0.3% against major currencies right after Trump's comments hit the wires. Investors didn't waste time - they piled into the greenback and other safe assets…

5 / 15

Brent crude shot up 2.5% to $72 per barrel as geopolitical risk premiums kicked in hard. Middle East tensions always spook oil traders - they know how fast supply lines can get…

6 / 15

The Swiss franc gained 0.5% against the euro as investors hedged against volatility. Switzerland's currency gets popular fast when geopolitical stress builds up - the country's…

7 / 15

Fed Chair Jerome Powell didn't comment immediately, leaving traders guessing about potential monetary policy shifts.

8 / 15

Bank of Japan Governor Haruhiko Kuroda noted the yen's strength reflects investor caution. He said excessive volatility might prompt a response from the central bank.

9 / 15

Goldman Sachs revised their short-term euro forecasts, citing heightened geopolitical risks. The firm now thinks the euro could drop to $1.06 by month's end if U.S.

10 / 15

Wall Street had a rough day. The S&P 500 closed down 1.2% Thursday as investors grappled with geopolitical tensions and broader trade implications. The Dow Jones fell 1.

11 / 15

London's FTSE 100 dropped 1.1% by the close. British energy firms are watching the situation closely given potential oil supply chain disruptions.

12 / 15

Defense contractors bucked the trend though. Lockheed Martin and Raytheon Technologies rose 2.3% and 1.9% respectively as investors anticipated increased defense spending.

13 / 15

Asian markets felt the pressure too. Shanghai's Composite Index closed down 0.7% as global uncertainties weighed on sentiment.

14 / 15

The Russian ruble weakened 0.6% against the dollar as oil price volatility and geopolitical risks hit investor confidence.

15 / 15

Bond markets saw flight-to-safety flows. U.S. Treasury yields fell with the 10-year yield dropping to 1.55% Thursday as investors sought refuge in government bonds.

The Currency Analytics

Want the full story?