Oil Shock and Metals Retreat Dominate Markets Amid Geopolitical Tensions
Gold and silver prices fell sharply despite escalating U.S.-Iran tensions, with COMEX gold dropping 1.3% to $5,090/oz and silver plunging 4%. Profit-taking and a stronger dollar drove the selloff, underscoring how traditional safe havens can decouple from geopolitical risks during liquidity crunches.
Oil markets convulsed as the Strait of Hormuz closure disrupted 20% of global supply, sending WTI crude soaring 30% to $115/barrel—the largest single-day spike on record. The energy shock triggered Asian equity bloodletting: Japan's Nikkei 225 tumbled 7% while South Korea's KOSPI slid 8%, signaling contagion fears across asset classes.