Iran vs Israel Conflict: Which assets are being affected?WTI Oil FutureFX:USOILtroiasThe ongoing conflict between Iran and Israel has had a notable impact on global stock markets and currency pairs, primarily driven by concerns over oil supply disruptions and increased geopolitical uncertainty. Here's a breakdown of the affected assets: Stocks Overall Market Decline: Major global stock indices, including the Dow Jones Industrial Average, S&P 500, Nasdaq Composite, and India's Sensex and Nifty 50, have experienced declines following the escalation of tensions. Negatively Impacted Sectors/Stocks: Airlines & Travel: Companies like United Airlines, Delta Air Lines, American Airlines, and cruise operators (e.g., Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings, Carnival Corp.) have seen sharp losses due to surging fuel costs and reduced travel sentiment. Hotel operators (e.g., Hilton, Marriott) and car rental companies (e.g., Avis Budget Group, Hertz) also felt the impact. Consumer Discretionary: Companies tied to discretionary spending and those with high energy-input costs (e.g., General Motors, Ford, Target, Best Buy, Nike) have been negatively affected, as rising oil prices can impact consumer behaviour. Technology & Financials: Broad technology companies, particularly those producing consumer goods, and the financial sector have seen declines. US-listed Israeli Companies: Companies like Check Point Software Technologies, Teva Pharmaceutical Industries, Mobileye Global, and eToro Group experienced drops. Positively Impacted/Benefiting Sectors/Stocks: Oil & Energy: Oil prices surged, leading to gains for energy stocks such as Exxon Mobil, ConocoPhillips, and Diamondback Energy. Defence: Defence contractors like Lockheed Martin, RTX Corporation, and Northrop Grumman have rallied due to increased geopolitical uncertainty. Gold Miners: Shares of gold miners (e.g., Newmont, AngloGold Ashanti) rose as gold prices climbed, driven by safe-haven demand. Renewable Energy/EVs: Electric-vehicle maker Tesla and solar power companies like First Solar and SolarEdge Technologies saw gains, possibly as alternatives to fossil fuels. Currency Pairs Safe-Haven Currencies Strengthen: US Dollar (USD): The US dollar has rallied against most G7 currencies, benefiting from safe-haven flows. Japanese Yen (JPY): The Japanese Yen strengthened as investors sought safety. Swiss Franc (CHF): The Swiss Franc also gained alongside other safe-haven assets. Gold (XAU/USD): Gold prices surged to multi-month highs, trading above $3,400 per troy ounce, reflecting strong safe-haven demand. Risk-Sensitive Currencies Weaken: Euro (EUR/USD): The EUR/USD pair retreated, with the Euro being "hardly damaged" initially but experiencing downward pressure from the escalating conflict. Australian Dollar (AUD) & New Zealand Dollar (NZD): These risk-sensitive Asian currencies weakened. Indian Rupee (INR): The Indian Rupee weakened against the US dollar due to the impact of rising crude oil prices on India, a major oil importer. While the immediate market response has shown volatility and a "risk-off" sentiment, some analysts suggest that the longer-term impact will depend on the conflict's duration and whether it escalates into a broader regional or global issue, particularly concerning oil supply disruptions.