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Stocks topple, dollar firms amidst geopolitical danger, mixed central bank views

U.S. stocks sold off sharply on Friday while the dollar jumped as investors come to grips with increasing geopolitical stress and consistent inflation that could lead to diverging financial policy between the U.S. and Europe.

MSCI's gauge of stocks across the globe was last down 1.2%, its greatest one-day drop in about 6 months, dragged down by U.S. performance.

Wall Street's main indexes all dropped well over 1% with the S&P 500 publishing its greatest one-day drop given that Jan. 31, as first-quarter profits season started on an ugly note with reports from significant banks.

We have a mix of elevated geopolitical risk, inflation concerns and moderate (earnings) disappointments, said Angelo Kourkafas, senior investment strategist at Edward Jones.

Worries that Iran may strike back for an airstrike on its embassy in Damascus that it blamed on Israel have actually hovered over markets, propping up oil and triggering moves into gold and other safe-haven possessions. Israel did not claim duty for the airstrike on April 1.

U.S. President Joe Biden said on Friday he anticipated Iran to attack Israel faster, rather than later on and cautioned Tehran not to continue.

There are issues that there might be an attack on Israel by Iran, stated Kristina Hooper, primary global market strategist at Invesco. Geopolitical risk has been driving a lot of the moves.

Reserve bank outlooks were also in focus. The European Central Bank indicated on Thursday it might start cutting rates, while a hotter-than-expected inflation keeping reading Wednesday pressed back bets for the Federal Reserve's very first cut up until later in the year.

The dollar index acquired 0.69% and struck its highest level in over five months. The euro was down 0.76%.

We've got a dollar, U.S. rate of interest strength play, that's what's going on here, stated Joseph Trevisani, senior analyst at FX Street in New York City.

The Japanese yen bucked the pattern, firming 0.02%. against the dollar in a rebound after striking a 34-year low. during the day as financiers looked for signs of intervention. from Tokyo officials.

On Wall Street, the Dow Jones Industrial Average fell. 475.84 points, or 1.24%, to 37,983.24, the S&P 500 lost. 75.65 points, or 1.46%, to 5,123.41 and the Nasdaq Composite. lost 267.10 points, or 1.62%, to 16,175.09.

Financiers were digesting arise from JP Morgan,. Citigroup and Wells Fargo, with the S&P 500 Banks. index dropping 3.3%.

Europe's STOXX 600 index rose 0.14%.

The yield on benchmark U.S. 10-year notes fell. 5.9 basis points to 4.518% from 4.576% late on Thursday.

Federal Reserve Bank of Boston President Susan Collins is. eyeing a couple of rate of interest cuts this year amidst. expectations it could still take a while to get inflation back. to targeted levels.

Market prices suggested investors anticipate the Fed to reduce. its primary funds rate by about 48 basis points this year after. traders began 2024 banking on about 150 bps of cuts.

Oil costs increased on Middle East tensions.

U.S. unrefined settled up 0.75% at $85.66 a barrel and. Brent settled at $90.45 per barrel, up 0.79% on the day.

Spot gold lost 1.24% at $2,343.76 an ounce, taking a. breather after increasing above $2,400 per ounce to an all-time. high.

(source: Reuters)