Tensions Drive Oil Up and Equities Down After U.S. Military Action

Oil prices have jumped sharply this week. The trigger was a major U.S. and Israeli military attack on Iran. Traders woke up to a stronger risk premium in oil prices as investors feared supply disruptions. At the same time, global stock markets slumped as fear took hold. We watched investors rush toward safer assets. Gold, bonds, and the U.S. dollar all got a lift. This sudden shift shows how geopolitical tension can move markets fast, especially in energy. The world still relies heavily on oil from the Middle East, and any disruption sends shockwaves through global trade and markets.