Last week, US markets experienced severe volatility driven by the outbreak of the war in the Middle East, which led to attacks on energy infrastructure and fears of a prolonged conflict following military strikes. The event has created significant risks to global oil and gas supply, with WTI crude oil spiking almost 50% month-to-date. The S&P 500 finished the week -2% and Nasdaq -1.2% as the conflict escalated.
The war triggered a notable rotation away from technology stocks, with energy and defense sectors rallying. In fixed income markets, Treasury yields rose 15-20bps higher due to inflation concerns. Meanwhile, credit spreads widened also led by concerns over the private credit industry, with US High Yield spreads +20bps and Investment Grade +2bps.
Safe-haven assets had mixed performance, with gold and silver prices down, as well as short term Treasuries. Meanwhile, Bitcoin demonstrated relative resilience to the initial shock despite experiencing volatility throughout the week. The US Dollar Index (DXY) strengthened as investors sought the safety of the world's reserve currency amid the geopolitical uncertainty and supply shock concerns.
Financial Education
Weekly Market Update – March 9th, 2026
Published at 09/03/2026
InterCommunications
Inter (NASDAQ: INTR) is a digital bank providing financial and lifestyle solutions to 41 million consumers. Our super app leverages technology to unlock simplicity, offering mortgages, credit, gift cards, investments, and international payments. Inter customers also enjoy access to a dynamic marketplace of shopping discounts, cashback rewards, and exclusive access to marquee events. Recognized by Forbes, CNBC, and others as one of the world’s leading FinTechs and digital banks, Inter leads with human innovation to empower the new economy. Learn more at us.inter.co.
