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diplomacyApr 15, 2026

Dollar Eases as S&P 500 Posts a Record High

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The dollar index (DXY00) on Wednesday fell by -0.07%. The dollar fell slightly on Wednesday after the S&P 500 rallied to a new all-time high, reducing liquidity demand for the dollar. Also, geopolitical tensions eased and weighed on the dollar after the AP reported that the US and Iran had reached an “in principle agreement” to extend the ceasefire to allow more time for diplomacy. The US and Iran are considering extending their ceasefire, which ends on Tuesday, by another two weeks to allow more time to negotiate a peace agreement. Losses in the dollar were limited on Wednesday from hawkish comments from Cleveland Fed President Beth Hammack, who said her baseline is that the Fed is on hold for a “good while.” Wednesday’s US economic news was mixed for the dollar after the Apr Empire manufacturing survey general business conditions rose more than expected to a 5-month high, but the Apr NAHB housing market index fell more than expected to a 7-month low.Join 200K+ Subscribers: Find out why the midday Barchart Brief newsletter is a must-read for thousands daily. The Fed Beige Book was somewhat hawkish and supportive of the dollar, as it stated that economic activity continued to increase at a slight-to-modest pace, with moderate price growth overall, but energy and fuel costs rose “sharply” across all 12 Fed districts in the six weeks to April 6. The US Apr Empire manufacturing survey of general business conditions rose +11.2 to a 5-month high of 11.0, stronger than expectations of 0.0. The US Mar import price index ex-petroleum rose +0.1% m/m, weaker than expectations of +0.3% m/m. The US Apr NAHB housing market index fell -4 to a 7-month low of 34, weaker than expectations of 37. Swaps markets are discounting the odds at 1% for a +25 bp rate hike at the April 28-29 FOMC meeting. The dollar continues to be undercut by a poor outlook for interest rate differentials, with the FOMC expected to cut interest rates by at least -25 bp in 2026, while the BOJ and ECB are expected to raise rates by at least +25 bp in 2026. EUR/USD (^EURUSD) on Wednesday rose by +0.04%. The dollar’s weakness on Wednesday was supportive of the euro. Also, today’s news showing Eurozone Feb industrial production rose more than expected was bullish for the euro. In addition, crude oil prices turned lower on Wednesday, a positive factor for the Eurozone economy and the euro, as Europe imports most of its energy. Eurozone Feb industrial production rose +0.4% m/m, stronger than expectations of +0.3% m/m. Swaps are discounting a 24% chance of a +25 bp rate hike by the ECB at the April 30 policy meeting. USD/JPY (^USDJPY) on Wednesday rose by +0.13%. The yen moved lower on Wednesday on reduced safe-haven demand after the Nikkei Stock Index rallied to a 1.5-month high. Also, higher T-note yields on Wednesday were bearish for the yen. Losses in the yen were limited on Wednesday after Japan Feb core machine orders posted their largest increase in 15 years. The yen also has carryover support from Tuesday, when Bloomberg reported that BOJ officials are likely to sharply raise their inflation forecast at this month’s policy meeting, a hawkish factor for BOJ policy. Japan Feb core machine orders rose +24.7% y/y, stronger than expectations of +8.1% y/y and the biggest increase in more than 15 years. The markets are discounting a +27% chance of a 25 bp BOJ rate hike at the next meeting on April 28. June COMEX gold (GCM26) on Wednesday closed down -26.50 (-0.55%), and May COMEX silver (SIK26) closed up +0.095 (+0.12%). Gold and silver prices settled mixed on Wednesday, with silver climbing to a 4-week high. Gold prices fell from a 4-week high on Wednesday and then moved lower after the S&P 500 rallied to a new all-time high, which curbed safe-haven demand for precious metals. Also, hawkish comments on Wednesday from Cleveland Fed President Beth Hammack pushed bond yields higher and weighed on precious metals prices when she said the Fed is on hold for a “good while.” Precious metals found support on Wednesday as optimism over peace talks between the US and Iran knocked crude prices lower, which eases inflation concerns and could prompt the world’s central banks to pursue easier monetary policy, a bullish factor for precious metals. The AP reported on Wednesday that the US and Iran had reached an “in principle agreement” to extend the ceasefire to allow more time for diplomacy. Silver prices received support on Wednesday after the Silver Institute said the globalsilver marketwill remain in deficit for a sixth consecutive year, with the 2026 global deficit widening by 15% to -46.3 million troy ounces. Precious metals still have safe-haven support over concerns about the escalation of the US-Iran war after President Trump ordered a full naval blockade of the Strait of Hormuz. Also, uncertainty over US tariffs, US political turmoil, large US deficits, and government policy uncertainty are boosting demand for precious metals as a store of value. Recent fund liquidation of precious metals is bearish for prices, as long holdings in gold ETFs fell to a 4-month low on March 31 after climbing to a 3.5-year high on February 27. Also, long holdings in silver ETFs fell to a 7-month low on March 27 after rising to a 3.5-year high on December 23. Strong central bank demand for gold is supportive of gold prices, following the recent news that bullion held in China’s PBOC reserves rose by +160,000 ounces to 74.38 million troy ounces in March, the seventeenth consecutive month the PBOC has boosted its gold reserves.On the date of publication, Rich Asplund did not have (either directly or indirectly) positions in any of the securities mentioned in this article. All information and data in this article is solely for informational purposes. For more information please view the Barchart Disclosure Policy here. More news from Barchart - Two-Minute Analysis: The Bull vs. Bear Cases for Gold and Silver Prices Now - Has Silver Found a Bottom? - Why Gold and Silver Prices Have Become Dislocated from Traditional Fundamentals - Has Gold Found a Bottom? The views and opinions expressed herein are the views and opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of Nasdaq, Inc.

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    The dollar index (DXY00) on Wednesday fell by -0.07%. The dollar fell slightly on Wednesday after the S&P 500 rallied to a new all-time high, reducing liquidity demand for the dollar. Also, geopolitical tensions eased and weighed on the dollar after the AP reported that the US an…

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Key points: Bitcoin diverges from US stocks as Trump says Strait of Hormuz “open” Data from TradingView showed BTC/USD building on the week’s gains as the S&P 500 bounced from 7,696, its lowest level since Aug. 4. BTC/USD four-hour chart. Source: Cointelegraph/TradingView This came after US president Donald Trump posted a map of the closed Strait of Hormuz oil route to Truth Social where it was labeled “new US territory.

” Both the US and Iran lay claim to control of Hormuz, with Trump threatening US ally Oman with military action over its plans to work with Iran on charging tolls to shipping traffic. In a subsequent post, Trump confirmed that further diplomacy with Iran was not on the agenda.

“There are no talks or conversations going on, or scheduled, with the Islamic Republic of Iran. The Naval Blockade remains in full force and effect. The Hormuz Strait is open and operating. All water mines have been removed or detonated,” he wrote. S&P 500 one-day chart.

Source: Cointelegraph/TradingView As on Monday, oil avoided major volatility, with WTI crude down 1% at the time of writing at $84 per barrel. US government bonds continued to show strain, with the 30-year yield hitting 5.34%, its highest since January 2007.

“Bond prices are sending warnings,” BNY Mellon analyst Geoff Yu wrote in a research note quoted by the New York Times. Yu said that the surge came as “investors demand more compensation for inflation risk,” while also attributing the upside to government borrowing.

US 30-year bond yields one-month chart. Source: Cointelegraph/TradingView BTC price faces crunch rebound test Updating X followers on BTC/USD, trader and analyst Aksel Kibar eyed the culmination of a potential reverse head-and-shoulders pattern at $62,300.

Related: Bitcoin price spike to $64.5K was ‘low-volume liquidity trap’: Analysis “If $BTCUSD is going to rebound, it has to come from here,” he argued on Monday. Kibar offered a $53,000 target in the event of the head-and-shoulders structure failing, with $76,000 a potential upside target should the rebound sustain.

BTC/USD one-day chart. Source: Aksel Kibar on X.com Previously, Cointelegraph reported that underwater investors were contributing to Bitcoin’s inability to break higher. Its rebound to $64,500 also stopped short of an overhead trend line, the 50-month exponential moving average (EMA).

This moving average is now in place as resistance at $65,827.

Location: Strait of Hormuz
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Trump says no talks underway with Iran, Hormuz blockade remains in place US president says no discussions are taking place or planned with Tehran and reiterates that the naval blockade of the Strait of Hormuz remains fully operational Washington: US President Donald Trump said on Tuesday that no talks are taking place with Iran and that no discussions are currently scheduled between the two countries.

In a post on his Truth Social platform, Trump also said the naval blockade of the Strait of Hormuz remains "in full force and effect." The president did not provide further details regarding US policy towards Iran or any potential future diplomatic engagement.

Trump's comments come amid continued tensions between Washington and Tehran and renewed focus on security and navigation through the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world's most important oil shipping routes.

Location: Tehran
diplomacyUnverifiedUSIran
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Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said Tuesday that Iran had “won both the war and diplomacy,” claiming those who initially sought Tehran’s “unconditional surrender” later sought negotiations. Speaking at an event, Araghchi said Iran resisted for days against what he described as “the world’s largest apparent military,” alongside another army claiming military power and with the support of nearly all Western countries and some other states inside and outside the region, according to the Tasnim news agency.

“Those who were seeking unconditional surrender, shortly after the war began, begged for negotiations,” Araghchi said. He claimed Tehran initially rejected a ceasefire and continued fighting until reaching a point where the other side accepted a ceasefire and negotiations “on Iran’s terms.

” “We fought with strength, and we negotiated with strength,” he said, adding that many foreign ministers had told him: “You won both the war and diplomacy.” Araghchi’s remarks came after US President Donald Trump called on Iran on Monday to give up and “raise the white flag.

Location: Tehran
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- Iran demands US lift sanctions and return frozen assets to reopen Strait of Hormuz - Iran's Parliament Speaker warns closure of Strait continues until US ends military threats - Around 20% of global oil supply passes through the Strait, impacting energy security Iran has warned that the Strait of Hormuz will remain closed until the US meets a set of conditions, including the release of frozen Iranian assets, an end to oil sanctions and what Tehran describes as a US blockade and military threats.

Al-Arabiya English reported that Iran's Parliament Speaker and top negotiator Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf said the Trump administration must meet the conditions before Tehran considers reopening the strategic waterway. “Until the Trump regime removes the blockade, ends the wars across the region, returns Iran's stolen assets, lifts the oil sanctions, and ceases its military threats, the Strait of Hormuz will remain closed,” Ghalibaf said.

Until the Trump regime removes the blockade, ends the wars across the region, returns Iran's stolen assets, lifts the oil sanctions, and ceases its military threats, the Strait of Hormuz will remain closed. pic.twitter.com/fl2RrKnT1R— Seyed Mohammad Marandi (@s_m_marandi) August 18, 2026 Ghalibaf also warned that Iran was prepared to respond more forcefully depending on the actions of its adversaries.

ALSO READ: 'We Control Hormuz': Trump To Declare Strait As US Territory? Here's What President Says The comments add a new condition to an already fragile diplomatic environment, with the Strait of Hormuz at the centre of concerns over global energy supplies.

Around one-fifth of global oil supply typically passes through the waterway, making any prolonged disruption a major risk for crude markets, shipping and energy security. Earlier, Press TV reported that Ghalibaf is scheduled to travel to Baghdad on Wednesday at the head of a high-level Iranian delegation for discussions with Iraqi leaders.

The talks are expected to cover regional developments and bilateral cooperation, including border security, counterterrorism, economic ties and implementation of existing agreements. Iraqi media have also reported that the agenda could include a proposal concerning Iraqi oil exports through the Strait of Hormuz.

The visit comes as regional governments grapple with the implications of continued disruption in one of the world's most important energy corridors. ALSO READ: Hormuz Tensions: Another Ship Hit By Unknown Projectile, Says UKMTO Centre The security situation in the waterway has also remained tense.

The UK's Maritime Trade Operations agency, or UKMTO, said a vessel reported being struck by an unknown projectile while conducting an outbound transit of the Strait of Hormuz. “The Company Security Officer has reported that the vessel was struck by an unknown projectile while conducting an outbound transit of the Strait of Hormuz,” UKMTO said.

The impact damaged the vessel's engine room and resulted in a crew casualty, the agency said. The remaining crew was being assisted by the Omani coastguard. Essential Business Intelligence, Sharp Market Insights, Practical Personal Finance Advice, Daily Fuel, Gold and Silver Prices and Latest Stories — On NDTV Profit.

Location: Tehran