Middle East tensions send Oil, Gold higher, equities lower [Video]

Ipek Ozkardeskaya Swissquote Bank Ltd

Middle East tensions are escalating as clashes between the US, Israel and Iran trigger explosions across the region. Oil and gas prices surged at the weekly open, overshadowing OPEC’s planned output increase.

With the Strait of Hormuz — a critical chokepoint for global energy flows — effectively closed, disruptions could remove billions of barrels from the market, pushing energy prices higher and amplifying inflation risks.

Data-intensive Big Tech firms like Nvidia, Microsoft, Apple, and Alphabet face rising operating and financing costs, while long-duration growth valuations come under pressure from higher discount rates. Investors are weighing geopolitical, inflation and energy risks as global markets respond to a highly volatile environment.

Author

Ipek Ozkardeskaya

Swissquote Bank Ltd

Ipek Ozkardeskaya began her financial career in 2010 in the structured products desk of the Swiss Banque Cantonale Vaudoise. She worked in HSBC Private Bank in Geneva in relation to high and ultra-high-net-worth clients.

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