03 March 2026 — Today’s Market News — Oil Surge Triggers Market Shock: KOSPI Plunges 7.24%, Nikkei Slides 3.06%

March 3, 2026 Centrino Capital

Escalating Middle East conflict drives oil higher as Korean and Japanese equities slide.

Global markets weakened as Middle East tensions pushed Brent crude up 2.57%. The KOSPI fell 7.24%, and the Nikkei dropped 3.06%, while safe-havens strengthened, with the Dollar Index up 0.34%. The S&P 500 edged up 0.04%.

Today’s Snapshot

• S&P 500: 6,878.88 (+2.74 pts, +0.04%)
• KOSPI: 6,244.13 (−452.22 pts, −7.24%)
• Nikkei 225: 58,057.24 (−1,778.19 pts, −3.06%)
• Gold: $5,322.12/oz (−0.32%)
• Silver: $89.35/oz (−4.70%)

Global Markets

(A) Precious Metals

Gold: $5,322.12/oz (-0.32%)
Gold fell today by 0.32% as traders booked profits and the US dollar strengthened, reducing demand for the safe-haven metal.

Silver: $89.35/oz (-4.70%)
Silver fell sharply by 4.70% today as traders booked profits after recent gains, while a stronger US dollar and rising real yields reduced demand for metals.

(B) Energy

Brent crude: $76.16/bbl. (+2.57%)
Brent crude rose nearly 3% today because the ongoing war in the Middle East — especially between Israel and Hamas — has raised fears that key oil supply routes like the Strait of Hormuz and nearby regional production could be disrupted.

(C) FX

Dollar Index (DXY): 98.38 (+0.34%)

The U.S. dollar went up today because investors moved their money into the dollar for safety due to global tensions and uncertainty in the markets.

(D) Stock Market — What Happened Today

Korea
KOSPI: 6,244.13 (−7.24%)

Major Korean stocks fell sharply as global tensions triggered heavy selling and foreign investors pulled money out of Asian markets.

Samsung Electronics (−9.88%) — Investors reduced exposure to semiconductor stocks amid global tech weakness.
SK Hynix (−11.50%) — Chip stocks were heavily sold as risk appetite dropped.
LG Energy Solution (−7.96%) — Battery makers declined on concerns about global growth and EV demand.
Hyundai Motor (−11.72%) — Slipped as rising oil prices and uncertainty raised concerns about auto demand.

Japan
Nikkei 225: 56,279.05 (−3.06%)

Japanese stocks fell as global risk sentiment weakened and investors reacted to rising geopolitical tensions and higher oil prices.

Tokyo Electron (−2.14%) — Semiconductor equipment stocks dropped as global chip shares came under pressure.
SoftBank Group (−1.33%) — Fell as technology and growth stocks weakened.
Sony Group (−6.26%) — Declined amid broader selling in tech-related shares.
Toyota Motor (−6.14%) — Slipped as higher oil prices and global uncertainty raised demand concerns.

Volatility & Positioning

Volatility Index (VIX)

The VIX closed at 21.44, as rising global tensions and sharp declines in Asian markets increased investor demands for protection against further market swings.

What Traders Are Watching

Middle East conflict direction: Continued supply disruption fears keep oil elevated and risk sentiment fragile.
Inflation and central bank cues: Rising energy costs feed inflation risk, which central banks will monitor closely.
Safe haven flows: Dollar and gold movement will indicate risk appetite.

Yesterday’s Market Recap

Global markets turned risk-off after U.S.–Israel strikes on Iran disrupted flows through the Strait of Hormuz. Oil surged ~7%, U.S. stocks fell sharply with the Dow down over 500 points, and safe-haven assets, including gold and silver, rallied.

Catch up on: Oil Jumps 7% as Strait of Hormuz Disruption Sparks Risk-Off

Sources

Sources

Disclaimer:

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