【US Stock Market Opening】US Long-Term Treasury Yields at 4.3% Six-Month High; Axios: Trump May Deploy Military, Take Over Iran's "Kish Island" (Continuously Updated)

Oil price fluctuations. Axios reports, citing four sources, that the Trump administration is considering occupying or blockading Iran’s Kharg Island to pressure Iran to reopen the Strait of Hormuz. The island handles 90% of Iran’s oil exports. Taking control of the island could expose U.S. forces to greater risk of attack.

If successful, the move could ease oil prices; if it fails, it could escalate conflict. Markets are betting on the latter, with Brent crude rising 2% at first before fluctuating.

The report indicates such actions would only occur after the U.S. military further weakens Iran’s military capabilities around the Strait of Hormuz. “We need about a month to strike and further weaken Iran, take this island, and hold their critical points as leverage for negotiations,” a White House source said.

If approved, more troops would be needed. Currently, three different Marine units are heading to the region. A U.S. official said the White House and Pentagon are considering deploying additional forces as soon as possible.

U.S. stock markets opened lower; Dow down 100 points at 45,920; S&P 500 down 0.4% at 6,577; Nasdaq down 0.8% at 21,923.

In stocks, Super Micro Computer (SMCI) co-founder was indicted in New York for allegedly conspiring to illegally export AI technology worth billions to China. The news caused SMCI shares to plunge 28%, closing at $22.16.

Gold rose 0.2% to $4,660; silver fell 1.1% to $72.

Hong Kong stocks and ADR markets are continuously updating. See: Next Page

Market Trends:

【21:30】Trump may send troops to seize Iran’s Kharg Island. Dow drops 100 points; SMCI plunges 28%.

【20:00】Trump may send troops to seize Kharg Island. Dow futures down 134 points.

【15:14】Dow futures down 12 points at 46,329; S&P futures down 8 points at 6,652; Nasdaq futures down 60 points (0.2%) at 24,519.

【15:04】NY crude drops 1% to $94.6; Brent crude down 0.3% at $108.3. Gold futures up 1.6% at $4,681; spot gold up 0.7% at $4,681.

【15:04】SMCI drops 20% in after-hours trading amid indictment and allegations of illegal AI tech exports to China.

【12:54】Gold analysis: Gold once tested $4,500, the weakest weekly performance in six years. Analysts say the safe-haven effect is not yet clear; short-term weakness expected.

【12:41】AI + OpenAI: OpenAI plans to integrate ChatGPT, Codex, and others into a super app to simplify user experience and compete with Anthropic.

【11:19】AI + Nvidia: Jensen Huang emphasizes that AI leaders should be cautious to avoid causing public panic. “Warnings are good; scare tactics are not.”

【10:19】Gold trend: Gold faces its largest weekly decline in six years. How much has the two-ounce gold price fallen to?

【08:20】Iran crisis: Israeli PM Netanyahu says Israel will not attack Iran’s oil and gas facilities again.

【07:58】Iran crisis: Bencet says lifting Iran’s oil sanctions could allow oil to flow to countries outside China, affecting market prices (updating).

【07:29】Pearl Harbor: Trump meets Sanae Takami. Japanese reporter asks why no prior notice of the attack. Trump: “You didn’t tell me about Pearl Harbor either.”

$1 and below: U.S. stock market on March 19====

Thursday: Trump halts Israel’s further attack on oil fields. Brent crude drops most of its gains; gold continues to fall.

After attacks on Middle Eastern oil facilities, the U.S. responds by increasing oil supply, including possibly releasing strategic reserves, considering lifting long-standing sanctions on Iranian oil, and approving purchases of certain Russian crude. Oil prices initially rose then retreated; Brent hit a high of $119.13, up 10.9%, closing at $107.83. NY crude rose 5.4% to a high of $101.48, then fell 0.2% to $96.14.

Market updates:

【E1】US futures: Dow down 12 points; Nasdaq down 0.2%; oil prices retreat. NY crude down 1% (updating).

Market close:

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