Global stocks rise as oil dips

Thursday, 26 March 2026 00:00 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

The price of oil has dipped and stock markets around the world yesterday have moved higher on reports that the US has sent a 15-point framework for peace to Iran, amid hopes of a ceasefire in the Middle East.

Stock markets in Asia moved higher over the day, with Japan’s Nikkei closing up 2.9% and Hong Kong’s Hang Seng adding just over 1%.

European markets also rose. The FTSE 100 in London was up more than 1% by mid-afternoon, Germany’s Dax was trading 1.4% higher and France’s Cac 40 climbed by about 1.2%. US stocks extended gains on the open, with the Dow Jones 1.1% ahead, the Nasdaq gaining 1.1% and the S&P 500 also trading just over 1% higher.

Gold’s historic run – where it moved above $ 5,000 an ounce for the first time in January – appears to have come to an end since the outbreak of the Iran conflict. After holding steady in the first days of the war, gold has since fallen by approximately 13% to about $ 4,550, calling into question the metal’s traditional role as a financial safety net.