Nikkei 225 Plunges Over 7% as Oil Prices Jump to $114 a Barrel

On March 9, 2026, global markets felt a sharp shock. Japan’s Nikkei 225 plunged more than 7%, tumbling to near 51,740 points as oil prices soared to about $114 a barrel, a level not seen in nearly 14 years. This sudden slide struck at the heart of Tokyo’s stock exchange early Monday, rattling investors and underscoring how quickly equity markets can turn when energy costs spike.