Finance

Major stock indexes experienced a severe decline following the Federal Reserve's policy announcement and escalating geopolitical developments. The Dow Jones Industrial Average plunged over 1,150 points, or 2.2%, recording its steepest single-day drop since April 2025. The benchmark S&P 500 and the Nasdaq Composite also lost ground, shedding 1.5% and 1.7% respectively, as high-flying technology and semiconductor shares faced intense downward pressure.

Energy markets reacted sharply to geopolitical tensions as military hostilities resumed between the United States and Iran. Brent crude prices surged by 7.3% to settle above $88 per barrel, erasing recent declines prompted by brief diplomatic openings. The escalating situation concerning the Strait of Hormuz has amplified supply-side anxieties and introduced new inflationary variables for global markets.

Digital assets traded in a tight, defensive posture as investors processed the implications of the Federal Reserve's hawkish tone. Bitcoin held relatively steady but stayed under pressure around the $64,000 threshold, while Ethereum hovered near $1,900 amid modest spot ETF inflows. Broader crypto market sentiment remains in fear territory as participants evaluate the risks of higher-for-longer interest rates and rising bond yields.