NASDAQ:QTTB 1 December 2025

March 20, 2026, 5:48 PM EDT. The dollar index rose 0.42% on Friday driven by stock market weakness and heightened demand as a safe haven amid the ongoing war in Iran. Higher U.S. Treasury note yields boosted interest rate differentials supporting the greenback. Fed Chair Powell's recent remarks signaled no rate cuts without inflation progress, influencing market expectations for the April FOMC meeting. The euro fell 0.31%, pressured by a stronger dollar, a steep drop in German producer prices, and rising oil costs impacting the Eurozone. ECB officials hinted at possible rate hikes. The yen dropped over 1% amid dollar gains and rising yields, worsened by surging oil prices affecting Japan's energy imports. Precious metals including gold and silver declined on a stronger dollar and higher global bond yields, with hawkish central bank stances stemming from energy cost surges linked to the Iran conflict.