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Stocks slide, oil jumps after Israel strike on Iran

Investors reduced risks as they digested the news of the retaliatory attack

Friday 19 April 2024 at 06:24

Iranian official TV confirms 'massive explosions' in central Isfahan province
Iranian official TV confirms 'massive explosions' in central Isfahan province Photo: Fatemeh Bahrami/Getty Images)

Israel’s retaliatory strike on Iran roiled global markets on 19 April, encouraging traders to dump risky assets and buy safe-haven currencies.

Stock markets across Asia dropped after early reports of explosions in Iran, which a person briefed on the matter later confirmed came after an Israeli strike. Japan’s Nikkei 225 led losses with a 2.4% decline by midday, but the fall was widespread: Major stock indexes in Hong Kong, Korea and Taiwan were also down more than 1%. US futures fell.