Overview

• Oil prices surged, with Brent crude climbing over 4% due to fears of conflict in the Middle East affecting energy shipments.
• US stock indexes, including the Dow and Nasdaq, fell as investors weighed geopolitical risks against positive economic indicators.
• Emerging-market currencies weakened as the US dollar strengthened, driven by demand for safe-haven assets amid regional conflict.
• US economic data showed robust growth in the services sector and a slight increase in unemployment claims, influencing Federal Reserve rate expectations.
• Levi Strauss shares dropped significantly following disappointing quarterly sales results and a strategic review of its Dockers brand.