TSX:9104 1 March 2026

March 21, 2026, 9:07 PM EDT. Wall Street remains tense amid the Middle East conflict, which has pushed international oil prices up by over 40%, sparking fears of higher global inflation and slowed economic growth. The U.S. Federal Reserve ruled out interest rate cuts this year and hinted at possible hikes as the impact of the conflict on the economy stays uncertain. All major U.S. stock indexes have slid for four weeks, with the S&P 500 and Nasdaq hitting lows unseen since September 2025. Rising U.S. Treasury yields above 4.3% are adding pressure on stocks, as higher rates raise borrowing costs and may curb growth. Investors closely watch oil as a leading indicator, while next week's economic data and the CERAWeek energy conference could be pivotal.