Oil Prices Breach $100 Barrier as Gulf Conflict Rattles Global Markets

Asian markets led the decline as the prospect of prolonged instability in the Gulf forced a reassessment of global supply chains. The price shock is rippling through bond markets, driving Treasury yields toward record highs. This monetary tightening is further compounded by the U.S. administration’s decision to impose tariffs on goods from 60 international partners, complicating the outlook for global trade.

Wall Street faces its own headwinds as investor sentiment sours on major technology stocks. Alphabet and Tesla shares fell following overnight trading, reflecting growing apprehension over the massive capital expenditure required for AI infrastructure. With inflation fears reignited by energy costs and protectionist trade policies, the market is shifting into a defensive posture, prioritizing stability over the aggressive growth strategies that defined the previous quarter.