The military strike concerned investors about the potential for a major escalation in Middle East tensions.
The Dow (INDU) traded down 0.8%, or 240 points, within minutes of the opening bell. The S&P 500 (SPX) opened down 0.8% as well, and Nasdaq Composite (COMP) futures were down 0.9%.
US oil futures jumped some 3.5% to more than $63 a barrel. Oil prices haven't been this high since September, when Iran attacked Saudi Arabia's oil production facilities. Iran denied responsibility for that strike. Oil also occasionally soared last year during times of tension in the Strait of Hormuz, when a number oil ships in that crucial Middle East channel were attacked.
If the attack sets off a prolonged rise in tensions between the United States and Iran, oil prices could continue to rise, and markets could remain unstable for some time.
President Donald Trump tweeted "Iran never won a war, but never lost a negotiation." Trump walked away from his predecessor's Iran Nuclear Deal, but the tweet suggests he wants to get Teheran back to the negotiating table.
"Both Iran and the US have shown a reluctance in the past to embark on outright conflict, but this does not preclude a period of heightened tensions and elevated oil prices," wrote Caroline Bain, chief commodities economist at Capital Economics.
Oil prices were already on an upswing before the escalation, Bain added, and she noted oil supplies might not be affected by the conflict, because Iranian oil exports are already curtailed thanks to US sanctions. Yet if tensions rise, the conflict could spill over to other regions.
"Given the scope for tension to persist in the Strait of Hormuz, a protracted period of higher oil prices has to be a risk," said Kit Juckes of Societe Generale in a note to investors.
Oil prices could rise to $80 if the conflict spreads, noted Henry Rome, Iran analyst at Eurasia Group.
Higher oil prices would eventually reach consumers at the pump, hurting the American economy, which relies heavily on consumer spending. A hit to American wallets could spell a bad start to the year.
Safe haven currencies, which tend to spike during times of trouble, climbed higher. The US dollar was up and the Japanese yen soared to its best level since November against its US rival.
Gold soared 1.3% to a four-week high, due to the same dynamic of investors putting their money into safe assets.
Treasuries edged slightly higher Friday. When prices rise, yields fall: the 10-year US bond yield fell to 1.83%, down from 1.92% from the previous day.
Qasem Soleimani, commander of the Quds Force of Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps, was killed in the strike at Baghdad International Airport. The Pentagon said that Soleimani was "actively developing plans to attack American diplomats and service members" and that the strike was aimed at "deterring future Iranian attack plans." Iranian President Hassan Rouhani said in a statement that his country would take revenge for the killing of Soleimani.
The Middle East is home to major oil producing countries and key energy supply routes. The killing of an Iranian general could disrupt business and trade with crucial partners in the region.
At least for now, the attack has undone the positive sentiment that fueled the US stock market over the past several months. Markets kicked off 2020 with a bang Thursday, when the Dow rose more than 300 points. Stocks soared last year: the S&P 500 was up nearly 29%, its best performance since 2013, fueled by the Federal Reserve's rate cuts and hope that the United States could resolve its trade war with China.
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January 03, 2020 at 08:47PM
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Dow set to tumble more than 200 points on rising Iran tensions - CNN
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