Business
Dow Jones Futures Plunge Over 700 Points as Middle East Conflict Escalates, Oil Prices Surge
NEW YORK — Dow Jones Industrial Average futures tumbled sharply in pre-market trading on March 3, 2026, with contracts dropping as much as 772 points or 1.6%, signaling a potential open well below 49,000 as geopolitical tensions in the Middle East intensified and oil prices continued their dramatic rally.
Futures tied to the blue-chip index hovered around 48,200-48,300 levels in early Asian and European sessions before deepening losses toward the U.S. open, reflecting renewed risk aversion amid fears that the U.S.-Israel strikes on Iran could prolong regional instability and disrupt global energy supplies. The March 2026 E-mini Dow contract traded near 48,265, down about 680 points or 1.39% in one snapshot, with intraday lows dipping toward 47,950 before partial recoveries.

The sell-off erased much of Monday’s modest equity rebound, when the Dow Jones Industrial Average closed down just 0.15% at around 48,978, while the S&P 500 and Nasdaq eked out small gains. On Tuesday, broader futures followed suit: S&P 500 contracts fell 1.5-1.8% near 6,790-6,800, and Nasdaq 100 futures slid 2.0-2.3%, underscoring pressure on growth stocks sensitive to higher borrowing costs and energy inflation.
The primary driver remained the escalating conflict, now in its fourth day. U.S. and Israeli forces conducted fresh airstrikes on Iranian targets overnight, prompting Tehran to vow attacks on any vessels attempting to transit the Strait of Hormuz — the chokepoint for roughly 20% of global oil flows. Iranian state media claimed the strait was effectively closed, with threats to target ships, sending shockwaves through commodity markets.
Brent crude, the global benchmark, surged more than 6-9% in recent sessions, trading near $79-$83 per barrel — levels not seen since mid-2024 or earlier highs. West Texas Intermediate climbed toward $72-$73, up around 8-9% intraday at peaks. The spike stemmed from production halts by some Middle Eastern producers, halted tanker traffic and fears of sustained supply disruptions, even as Iran ranks as OPEC’s fourth-largest producer.
“This is a classic flight to safety amid uncertainty,” one strategist noted in a client update. “Oil’s rapid ascent is reigniting inflation concerns just as markets were pricing in potential Fed easing. If the conflict drags on, it could force higher-for-longer rates and crimp economic growth.”
Treasury yields rose in tandem, with the 10-year note climbing above 4% in spots, reflecting bets on persistent price pressures. Gold futures extended gains as a hedge, while the U.S. dollar strengthened against major currencies.
Energy and defense sectors offered relative bright spots. Stocks like Exxon Mobil, Northrop Grumman and Palantir Technologies saw pre-market strength in prior sessions, with gains of 1-6% amid bets on elevated oil demand and increased military spending. However, broader equities faced headwinds, particularly in consumer discretionary and tech, where higher fuel costs erode margins and valuations compress.
The Dow futures retreat follows a volatile stretch for the index. Year-to-date performance has been mixed, with the blue chips showing resilience earlier in 2026 through rotation into value and cyclical names. Yet the latest catalyst has accelerated a defensive posture, with the VIX fear gauge elevated and volatility spiking across asset classes.
Analysts cautioned that while the immediate reaction appears measured compared to past geopolitical shocks, prolonged escalation poses risks. Tehran’s threats to the Strait of Hormuz could sustain oil above $80, complicating the soft-landing narrative that supported stocks through much of the prior year. Federal Reserve policymakers, already navigating hotter inflation data, may face added pressure to delay rate cuts.
Investors awaited further developments, including any diplomatic breakthroughs or additional military updates. U.S. officials signaled strikes could continue for weeks, while global shipping rates surged to all-time highs on rerouting and insurance concerns.
For traders, key levels to watch include Dow futures support near 48,000 and resistance around the prior close. A de-escalation signal could spark a rebound, but sustained oil elevation keeps caution dominant.
The episode highlights markets’ sensitivity to energy geopolitics in 2026. As the conflict unfolds, Dow futures serve as a real-time barometer of risk sentiment, balancing growth optimism against immediate inflationary and supply threats.
Market participants are urged to monitor official channels for updates, with trading likely to remain choppy through the session.
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NACC Returns 1.5 Billion Baht Worth of Seized Gold from Tax Fraud to Ministry of Finance
The NACC handed over gold bars worth 1.5 billion baht, equivalent to 20,976 baht in weight, to the Ministry of Finance after a Supreme Court ruling related to tax fraud.
Key Points
- On February 27, 2026, Surapong Intharathaworn, Secretary-General of Thailand’s National Anti-Corruption Commission, transferred gold bars valued at 1.5 billion baht to the Ministry of Finance, following a Supreme Court ruling confirming the gold belonged to a former Revenue Department chief involved in tax fraud.
- The NACC found that Satit Rungkasiri improperly accumulated wealth through gold purchases from Hua Seng Heng Commodities Co., Ltd. The gold was ruled as the state’s property due to its ill-gotten nature.
- This case is linked to a 4-billion-baht tax fraud investigation implicating at least 10 individuals, including civil servants. Satit Rungkasiri was sentenced to prison, and the gold bars are now officially part of the nation’s assets, concluding the high-profile investigation.
Handing Over of Gold Bars
On February 27, 2026, Surapong Intharathaworn, Secretary-General of Thailand’s National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC), presented 20,976 baht of gold bars worth 1.5 billion baht to the Ministry of Finance. This handover was mandated by a Supreme Court ruling in case 1256/2567, which confirmed that the gold belonged to the former chief of the Revenue Department. The bars were seized as a result of a major tax fraud investigation, demonstrating the government’s commitment to combat corruption and uphold lawful conduct in public service.
Background on the Tax Fraud Case
The NACC’s previous investigation revealed that Satit Rungkasiri, while serving as director-general of the Revenue Department, had amassed wealth through improper means, particularly through the purchase of gold bars from Hua Seng Heng Commodities Co., Ltd. These assets were classified as ill-gotten gains and were ultimately ruled by the court to belong to the state. This case is part of a broader 4-billion-baht tax fraud investigation implicating at least 10 individuals, including both civil servants and private sector members. Previously, Rungkasiri had been sentenced to prison for his involvement in the fraudulent activities.
Closure of the Case
With the formal transfer of the gold bars, this high-profile case reaches its conclusion, officially adding the bars to the nation’s assets. This event signifies a critical step in demonstrating the government’s efforts to address corruption within its ranks and reaffirms the judicial system’s role in holding individuals accountable. The NACC’s actions reflect a robust approach to ensuring public trust and fostering integrity across governmental operations, illustrating Thailand’s commitment to tackling corruption proactively.
Source : NACC returns 1.5 billion baht in gold seized from tax fraud case to Ministry of Finance
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Advancing a Fair and Sustainable Energy Transition in ASEAN
Overview The ASEAN region is currently undertaking a massive overhaul of its energy systems to balance rapid economic growth and rising energy demand with the urgent need for deep decarbonization. To achieve a just and responsible energy transition, Southeast Asian nations must address a significant investment gap and the “energy trilemma” of security, affordability, and sustainability.
Key Points
- ASEAN is the world’s fourth-largest energy consumer, with energy demand and carbon emissions both growing at an annual rate of 3%, which is significantly higher than the global average.
- The region faces a massive investment gap, requiring an estimated $150 billion annually in clean energy funding by 2030, while currently attracting only about $30 billion per year.
- Geographical and economic vulnerabilities, such as exposure to rising sea levels and agricultural dependence, make the transition to resilient, low-carbon power systems an urgent necessity.
- The transition is complicated by “young” coal fleets and a grid infrastructure originally designed for conventional thermal power rather than intermittent renewable energy.
- Targeted funding and concessional finance mechanisms, such as the Just Energy Transition Partnership (JETP), are needed to de-risk unattractive investment areas like the early retirement of coal plants.
- Regional policy alignment regarding carbon taxes and sustainable activity taxonomies is essential to create a stable environment for international investors.
- Technology transfer in areas such as carbon capture (CCUS), green hydrogen, and smart grids is critical for modernization.
- A “just” transition must include workforce reskilling and community engagement to ensure that those dependent on the coal economy are not left behind during the shift.
- The “ASEAN Leaders for Just Energy Transition” community, facilitated by the World Economic Forum, has issued a Shared Aspirations Statement to provide a unified voice for the region’s specific challenges and priorities.
ASEAN faces a critical energy transition, aiming for deep decarbonization despite surging demand and significant funding gaps. The region, a major energy consumer, is highly vulnerable to climate change, necessitating an urgent overhaul of its power sector. Key challenges include economic development goals, a young coal fleet, and infrastructure limitations. To succeed, ASEAN requires an estimated $150 billion annually in clean energy investment. Success hinges on mobilizing funds, fostering extensive regional and global collaboration, and aligning policies. A just transition also involves reskilling the workforce and ensuring community buy-in for long-term benefits.
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Stocks Recover From Opening Lows
Stocks are recovering from early lows as losses moderate, even as crude maintains its geopolitical risk premium following the weekend’s events.
In morning trading, the S&P 500 was down 0.3%. The Dow was down 136 points, or 0.3%. The Nasdaq fell 0.2%. All three indexes were down by more than a percent at the open.
Brent crude prices are hovering around $78.30 a barrel, largely unchanged from prior highs.
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Cricut, Inc. (CRCT) Q4 2025 Earnings Call Transcript
Operator
Good day, everyone, and welcome to Cricut Fourth Quarter 2025 Earnings Conference Call. [Operator Instructions] Please note, this conference is being recorded.
Now, it’s my pleasure to turn the call over to the Senior Vice President and Head of Investor Relations, Jim Suva. Please proceed.
Jim Suva
Senior Vice President of Finance, Treasurer & Investor Relations
Thank you, operator, and good afternoon, everyone. Thank you for joining us on Cricut’s Fourth Quarter 2025 Earnings Call.
Please note that today’s call is being webcast and recorded on the Investor Relations section of the company’s website. A replay of the webcast will also be available following today’s call. For your reference, accompanying slides used on today’s call, along with a supplemental data sheet, have been posted to the Investor Relations section of the company’s website, investor.cricut.com.
Joining me on the call today are Ashish Arora, Chief Executive Officer; and Kimball Shill, Chief Financial Officer. Today’s prepared remarks have been recorded, after which Ashish and Kimball will host live Q&A.
Before we begin, we would like to remind everyone that our prepared remarks contain forward-looking statements, and management may make additional forward-looking statements, including statements regarding our strategies, business, expenses, tariffs, capital allocation and results of operations in response to your questions. These statements do not guarantee future performance, and therefore, undue reliance should not be placed upon them.
These statements are based on current expectations
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Asia stocks fall for third day, oil edges up as markets track Iran war
The conflict in the Middle East has rattled financial markets and global energy prices have soared.
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