Market Volatility Prompts Investor Patience Strategy During Geopolitical Crisis

• Crude oil prices have climbed to their highest levels since 2022, driven by geopolitical tensions from the ongoing Iran war and uncertainty over shipping through the Strait of Hormuz. • President Trump extended his self-imposed deadline to "obliterate" Iran's power plants to April 6, contingent on Iran allowing oil tankers to freely exit the Persian Gulf through the Strait of Hormuz. • The elevated oil prices are contributing to market volatility, with Wall Street experiencing daily fluctuations as investor sentiment shifts between hopes for war resolution and renewed concerns.

• The Nasdaq 100 and Dow Jones Industrial Average have both entered correction territory, defined as a more-than-10% decline from recent peaks, marking a significant milestone in the market downturn. • Tech stocks have been particularly hard hit, with Amazon dropping 3.1% and Meta Platforms falling 3.5%, as the sector faces pressure from both high valuation concerns and geopolitical tensions related to the Iran war. • The S&P 500 has suffered five consecutive weeks of losses—its longest losing streak in nearly four years—and is now 8.7% below its record set in early 2026.

• U.S. stocks deepened losses on Friday, with the S&P 500 falling 1.7% or 108.31 points to close at 6,368.85, marking its fifth straight losing week—the longest streak in nearly four years. • The Dow Jones Industrial Average dropped 793.47 points or 1.7% to 45,166.64, now more than 10% below its recent record, while the Nasdaq composite sank 459.72 points or 2.1% to 20,948.36. • Big Tech weighed heavily on the market, including drops of 3.1% for Amazon and 3.5% for Meta Platforms, amid ongoing volatility from geopolitical tensions.

• The U.S. economy faces 'real risk' of recession following four weeks of war in Iran, with major indexes like S&P 500, Dow, and Nasdaq down sharply and energy stocks up 25%. • Inflation pressures have driven 30-year fixed mortgage rates to 6.5%, up 0.5 points, while businesses cannot expect Federal Reserve rate cuts soon. • Stock portfolios and retirement accounts have suffered ugly losses, compounded by higher gas prices and persistent high interest rates.

• Kyndryl Holdings, Inc. (NYSE: KD) announced an April 13, 2026, application deadline for class action lawsuits, with investors urged to contact Lewis Kahn, Esq. at Kahn Swick & Foti, LLC. • The notice follows concerns over potential securities issues, impacting shareholders amid broader market volatility. • This legal development adds pressure on the IT infrastructure services firm as Wall Street navigates geopolitical and economic risks.

• President Donald Trump extended his deadline for Iran to reopen the Strait of Hormuz by 10 days, pausing potential air strikes on power plants after closing the vital trade route. • Oil prices climbed higher due to Middle East conflict concerns, while Asian and European markets closed lower; US stocks ended Thursday down with Nasdaq in correction territory at 21,408.08. • ECB President Christine Lagarde warned equity markets are 'too optimistic' amid the 'real shock' in Iran, as Dow fell 1% to 45,960.11 and S&P 500 dropped 1.7% to 6,477.16.

• US S&P 500 futures hovered near flat Friday morning as investors balanced elevated borrowing costs, sticky inflation and Middle East tensions pushing energy prices. • 10-year Treasury yield held at 4.41%, pressuring credit cards and business loans, while 30-year mortgage rates reached 6.38%, making home buying costlier. • Spain's inflation at 3.3% underscores persistent living costs; interest-rate sensitive sectors like banks, real estate and small caps face tighter credit conditions.

• Major US indices declined Thursday amid caution over Trump's Iran pause and U.S.-Iran talks: Nasdaq fell 2.4% to 21,408.08, S&P 500 lost 1.7% or 114.74 points to 6,477.16, Dow dropped 1% or 469.38 points to 45,960.11. • Eight of 11 S&P sectors ended negative, led by Communication Services (XLC) -3.5%, Tech (XLK) -2.7%, Industrials (XLI) -2.3%; Energy (XLE) gained 1.6%. • NVIDIA (NVDA) led Dow losers down 4.2% despite Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy); trading volume at 16.50 billion shares below 20-session average of 20.54 billion.

• The US Composite PMI dropped to 51.4 in March 2026, marking its lowest level since April 2025 and indicating slowing economic growth across the board. • Business activity hit an 11-month low driven by softened orders and price surges, with the services sector leading the slowdown while manufacturing remained more resilient. • Employment fell for the first time in over a year amid weakening confidence, while sharp input cost rises pushed selling prices higher across the economy.

• The US has drafted a comprehensive 15-point proposal delivered to Iran through Pakistan intended to resolve ongoing hostilities between the two nations, according to Bloomberg reports citing people familiar with the matter. • Stock futures rose Wednesday morning on optimism surrounding diplomatic negotiations, though details of the proposal remain undisclosed. • President Donald Trump has publicly stated that any agreement must include prohibitions on Iran obtaining nuclear weapons or enriching radioactive material for civilian purposes.

• Major US stock indexes fell on March 25 with the S&P 500 dropping 24.63 points (0.4%) to 6,556.37, the Dow Jones declining 84.41 points (0.2%) to 46,124.06, and the Nasdaq sinking 184.87 points (0.8%) to 21,761.89. • Oil prices rose as investors remain uncertain about the duration and impact of the Iran conflict on Persian Gulf energy supplies, with the two-year Treasury yield climbing to 3.92% from 3.83% on concerns about inflation. • The market pullback reflected renewed caution after rallies the previous day, as traders have nearly eliminated bets for Federal Reserve rate cuts this year due to elevated inflation risks from surging oil prices.