It was the most volatile trading session since the conflict in the Middle East began

'Compressed spring': US indices soar, oil collapses on 24th day of war with Iran

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Donald Trump's surprise announcement that the US is <a href="https://oninvest.com/article/tramp-ob-avil-o-vremennom-prekrasenii-ogna-po-energeticeskoj-infrastrukture-irana">suspending</a> strikes on Iranian infrastructure after "productive negotiations" has brought optimism back to traders, with the S&amp;P 500 index of US stocks rising more than 1.5%. However, investor Michael Burry, known as the prototypical hero of the "Downgrade Game," said he prefers to refrain from trading in such a market.

Stocks are feverish. Why doesn't iconic shortstop Michael Burry trade in a market like this?

Iran did not negotiate with the United States as US President Donald Trump <a href="https://oninvest.com/article/akcii-ssa-vzleteli-neft-103-rynki-posle-smagcenia-pozicii-trampa-po-iranu">claimed</a>, Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad-Bagher Ghalibaf <a href="https://x.com/mb_ghalibaf/status/2036108700524347420">said</a> on his social media page X - Axios, citing an Israeli official, had earlier <a href="https://oninvest.com/article/neft-opustilas-do-99-za-barrel-tramp-zaavil-iran-otkazetsa-ot-adernogo-oruzia">reported</a> that it was the White House representatives who had dialogued with him.

Oil - back above $100, stocks slowed: Iran rejects Trump's stated dialog

U.S. stock futures rose sharply after U.S. President Donald Trump said Washington and Tehran have had "productive talks" over the past two days and signaled a suspension of strikes on Iranian power plants and energy infrastructure, CNBC <a href="https://www.cnbc.com/2026/03/22/stock-market-today-live-updates.html">reported</a>.

Stocks rise, oil falls after signals of de-escalation of US-Iran conflict

Trump says "very good and productive talks" with Iran

The cost of Brent collapsed by 14%. The price fell below $100 per barrel

The parties are engaged in "productive talks", the US president added

Trump announces temporary ceasefire on Iran's energy infrastructure

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This week, investors will focus on developments in the Middle East and the dynamics of energy prices. A key indicator of how the war in Iran has affected market sentiment will be the preliminary data on business activity (PMI) for March in the U.S. and Europe, <a href="https://www.wsj.com/economy/week-ahead-for-fx-bonds-pmi-data-to-show-middle-east-wars-impact-on-sentiment-6fd000aa?mod=economy_feat3_central-banking_pos2#:~:text=View%20more-,Provisional%20purchasing%20managers%E2%80%99%20surveys%20for%20March%20in%20the%20U.S.%20and,since%20the%20conflict%20began%2C%E2%80%9D%20Deutsche%20Bank%20economists%20said%20in%20a%20note.,-Inflation%20data%20from">writes</a> The Wall Street Journal. "This is important because it is one of the first economic indicators covering the period since the conflict began," the Journal quotes a note to Deutsche Bank clients.

Iran war, business sentiment and Gamestop: what investors need to know this week

Trump threatens to hit Iranian power plants if deadline is disrupted 

Trump demanded Iran unblock the Strait of Hormuz within 48 hours

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Micron Technology, Inc.

Escalation in the Middle East has triggered a spike in oil and gas prices and heightened the risks of a prolonged energy shock. Regulators and governments are looking for ways to contain prices, from easing sanctions on Iranian oil to temporarily repealing the Jones Act in the US. Meanwhile, hotels in Dubai are cutting prices - occupancy in the emirate has fallen from 90% to 16% due to the shelling. Against this backdrop, central banks are keeping rates on hold, but signaling rising inflation risks and high uncertainty. The main events from March 16 to 20 - in our review.

Highlights of the week: energy prices spike, Fed pause, Dubai hotels cut prices

The US is considering "winding down" its war with Iran, US President Donald Trump <a href="https://truthsocial.com/@realDonaldTrump/posts/116263563453969628">said</a> on Truth Social media. The price of Brent crude then plummeted, dropping from nearly $113 a barrel to less than $108 for a while.

US considering 'winding down' war with Iran - Trump. Brent fell below $108

The war in the Middle East, which caused a sharp rise in oil prices, is forcing investors to radically revise their forecasts on the Federal Reserve's monetary policy. Traders now estimate almost 50% probability of a rate hike this year, <a href="https://www.ft.com/content/63d642a9-2499-4969-af15-8bc282e4ce43?syn-25a6b1a6=1">writes the</a> Financial Times.

Radical reversal: traders have started to put a Fed rate hike in their forecasts 

The U.S. presidential administration is considering a forceful scenario of deblocking the Strait of Hormuz - for this purpose the U.S. may occupy the Iranian island of Kharq, writes Axios