Brent crude oil fell to $99 a barrel - markets reacted to the words of US President Donald Trump that Iran has allegedly agreed to give up nuclear weapons, <a href="https://www.barrons.com/articles/oil-crude-price-today-iran-brent-wti-d395ce51?mod=RTA">writes</a> Barron's.

Oil has plunged to $99 a barrel. Trump said: Iran will give up nuclear weapons

Traders piled new rate hikes by the Fed and ECB into forecasts, fearing an inflation shock from the energy crisis in the Middle East

Two-year US government bond yields hit 4% for the first time since June

Markets took a positive view of Trump's statements about talks with Iran, despite Tehran denying information about contacts with Washington

US stocks soar, oil soars $103: markets after Trump softens stance on Iran

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

Trump announces temporary ceasefire on Iran's energy infrastructure

Palantir Technologies Inc.

United Airlines Holdings, Inc.

Synopsys, Inc.

Tencent Holdings Limited

Super Micro Computer, Inc.

Nexstar Media Group, Inc.

Janus Henderson Group plc

Box, Inc.

Scholastic Corporation

Daily review and forecast of events on the U.S. stock market from Mikhail Denislamov, Deputy Director of Freedom Capital Markets Research.

Morning in New York: "bears" remain in the majority

Iran has threatened to attack US government bond holders following Donald Trump's ultimatum demanding Tehran open the Strait of Hormuz in 48 hours. The war in the Middle East has already damaged more than 40 energy facilities in nine countries, according to the IEA. About these and other topics - in our review of key events by the morning of March 23.

Top story for the morning: Iran threatened US government debt holders, IEA estimates war damage

Three weeks of war in the Middle East have brought a fifth of the world's oil and liquefied natural gas supplies to a halt and reshaped energy exports. The impact of this conflict on the LNG market has been described by market participants as an "apocalypse today", a nightmare and a terrible dream. They may be felt for years to come.

The war in Iran and the strike on the LNG complex in Qatar will lead to a shortage of gas on the world market. Who will suffer?   

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 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

Oil rose to $110. Goldman Sachs warned: it may be expensive throughout 2027

Major U.S. stock indices opened March 20 in the negative zone and are heading for a fourth consecutive week of decline, <a href="https://www.cnbc.com/2026/03/19/stock-market-today-live-updates.html">writes</a> CNBC. Bloomberg <a href="https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2026-03-20/us-stock-futures-drop-as-traders-eye-longer-war-options-expiry">notes</a> that for the U.S. stock markets this may become the longest series of declines for the year.  Oil prices resumed growth after a brief decline.

'Shock is inevitable': US stocks heading for longest series of declines in a year

FedEx Corporation

Planet Labs PBC

Unusual Machines, Inc.

Firefly Aerospace Inc.

Insperity, Inc.

Alibaba Group Holding Limited

Rivian Automotive, Inc.

Accenture plc

SoundHound AI, Inc.

Align Technology, Inc.

DLocal Limited

Morning in New York: stock indices in a turbulent zone

Venture Global, Inc.

Cheniere Energy, Inc.

Equinor ASA

Norwegian Equinor, a major European producer of natural gas, also grew its securities

USA