Global Markets Rebound After Trump Postpones Strike: S&P 500 Leads Recovery

Global stock markets staged a strong recovery on March 23, 2026, following U.S. President Donald Trump’s announcement that planned military strikes on Iran had been postponed. S&P 500 futures climbed more than 1.5% in early trading, signaling renewed investor confidence after last week’s sharp losses. Asian markets also mirrored the upswing, with Japan’s Nikkei 225 rising over 4% and Australia’s ASX 200 advancing 3%.

In Europe, London’s FTSE 100 recovered from an early 0.98% drop to trade over 1.7% higher as traders welcomed the easing of geopolitical tensions. The move followed Trump’s decision to delay strikes on Tehran’s energy infrastructure, which had been scheduled after a recent ultimatum over the Strait of Hormuz—a critical global oil shipping route.

Trump explained on his Truth Social platform that the military actions were postponed for five days to allow “good and productive conversations” with Tehran. The announcement temporarily eased fears of a direct conflict in the Middle East, which had sent crude prices surging above $95 per barrel and caused significant volatility in global energy markets. Brent crude stabilized around $97 per barrel, while gold rebounded to $4,500 per ounce, reversing sharp losses from the previous week.

Despite the optimism abroad, Nigerian equities lagged behind, with the All-Share Index slipping 1.07% even as silver surged over 2% and other precious metals saw gains. Analysts suggest that while local markets remain cautious, continued bullish momentum in the S&P 500 could push the U.S. index back toward 6,700 points in the coming sessions.

Investors worldwide are closely monitoring the situation as geopolitical risks continue to influence energy prices and equities. With Trump’s postponement providing a temporary calm, markets are now navigating a delicate balance between optimism and uncertainty, highlighting the impact of global politics on financial stability.

source: nairametrics