Dollar Surges to Monthly High as Middle East Conflict Rattles Global Markets 
U.S. Stocks Surge on Iran War De-escalation Hopes 
U.S. Trade Rep Dismisses WTO's Future Role After Failed Cameroon Summit 
Asian Stocks Surge on Trump's Iran War Comments and Dip-Buying 
Iran Strikes Oil Tanker Near Dubai Amid U.S. Threats and Ongoing Middle East Conflict 
Asian Stocks Mixed in March 2026 Amid Iran War Fears and Tech Selloff 
Oil Prices Hold Near Multi-Year Highs Amid Iran Conflict and Hormuz Supply Fears 
RBC Capital: European Medtech Firms Show Minimal Middle East and Energy Risk Exposure 
China Manufacturing PMI Hits 12-Month High Amid Energy Price Concerns 
Australia Bans Card Payment Surcharges Starting October 2025 
Bessent: Global Oil Market Well Supplied as U.S. Eyes Hormuz Navigation Control 
U.S. Dollar Posts Strong Monthly Gain Amid Middle East Conflict Despite Late Dip 
South Korea's Exports Hit Record High in March on AI-Driven Chip Demand 
Aluminum Prices Surge Toward Four-Year Highs After Gulf Smelter Strikes 
Japan Business Sentiment Rises as Iran War Fuels Inflation Fears, BOJ Rate Hike Looms 
South Korea's $17.3 Billion Emergency Budget Targets Oil Price Surge 
Canada's Economy Grows Modestly in January 2025, Driven by Energy and Construction 
U.S. stocks closed higher on Friday after the Supreme Court struck down President Donald Trump’s global tariffs, easing investor concerns and lifting major Wall Street indexes. The 6-3 ruling invalidated tariffs introduced last year under a federal law designed for national emergencies, sparking a relief rally across equity markets.
Although Trump criticized the decision and announced plans to implement a 10% global tariff for 150 days under Section 122 of the Trade Act of 1974, investors reacted positively. Market participants were reassured that the replacement tariff was lower than feared, reducing uncertainty around U.S. trade policy and its impact on corporate earnings.
The S&P 500 climbed 0.69% to 6,909.51, while the Nasdaq Composite surged 0.90% to 22,886.07. The Dow Jones Industrial Average advanced 0.47% to 49,625.97. For the week, the S&P 500 gained 1.08%, the Nasdaq rose 1.51%, and the Dow added 0.25%. Despite the weekly gains, the S&P 500 is up nearly 1% in 2026, trailing MSCI’s global stock index, which has risen more than 3%.
Technology heavyweights led the rally. Alphabet jumped 3.7%, Amazon gained 2.6%, and Apple rose 1.5%, supporting broader market momentum. Communication services surged 2.65%, making it the best-performing S&P 500 sector, followed by a 1.27% rise in consumer discretionary stocks. Companies previously pressured by tariffs, including Hasbro, Wayfair, Williams-Sonoma, and RH, also posted modest gains.
Investors remain focused on economic data and Federal Reserve policy. Recent reports showed slower U.S. economic growth in the fourth quarter and rising inflation in December. According to CME’s FedWatch Tool, traders see just over a 50% chance of a Fed rate cut by June.
Attention is also turning to Nvidia’s upcoming earnings, as volatility in AI-related stocks continues amid concerns over high valuations and uncertain returns on artificial intelligence investments. Meanwhile, trading volume was light at 18.3 billion shares, below the 20-session average of 20.3 billion.
