The US markets began positively on Monday, fueled by hopes of a potential easing in the West Asia conflict.
The Dow Jones Industrial Average climbed around 1% at the start, with the S&P 500 increasing by 0.8%. The technology-focused Nasdaq Composite added 0.6%.
Investor confidence picked up after Donald Trump indicated that negotiations with Iran were making headway. “Significant progress has been achieved,” Trump stated, noting that the US is engaging with a “more reasonable regime” to conclude military actions.
Nevertheless, there was a cautious undertone. Trump cautioned that if an agreement isn’t finalized soon and the Strait of Hormuz remains closed, the US may intensify attacks on Iran’s critical infrastructure.
Oil prices continued to rise amidst the tension, with Brent crude surpassing $115 per barrel and WTI exceeding $100. This surge coincides with the US contemplating increased involvement in the area amid rising supply concerns.
The conflict’s effects are also rippling through commodities and global markets, causing aluminum prices to spike after Iranian strikes targeted facilities in Bahrain and the UAE. Increased safe-haven demand led to a stronger Japanese yen, while US Treasury yields decreased.
However, Asian markets faced pressure, with South Korea’s Kospi dropping 3%, Japan’s Nikkei declining by 2.8%, and Hong Kong’s Hang Seng falling nearly 1%.
In India, both benchmark indices closed today’s session with over a 2% decline, largely driven by a significant drop in banking stocks.
Read more: Stock market crash: ₹10 lakh crore wiped out as banks drag on rising yields, RBI moves
In the cryptocurrency space, Bitcoin saw a slight recovery, rising 2.5% to $67,663.49 after reaching a one-month low during the previous session.
Overall, while markets opened higher, volatility remains significant as investors closely monitor geopolitical events and their implications for oil, inflation, and monetary policy.
First Published: Mar 30, 2026 7:34 PM IST
