Against the backdrop of long-standing economic sanctions and elevated domestic inflation, Iran’s internal tensions spilled into the geopolitical arena. According to ETO Markets monitoring on January 13, after the United States signaled a potential military response, a rapid risk-off repricing swept across major asset classes.
The following day, a softer US tone prompted a reassessment of crisis scenarios. US military readiness and sanctions measures remain in motion, and risks have not fully cleared.
ETO Markets analyzes the effects of the Iran incident on precious metals, crude oil, and US stocks via data insights.
Precious Metals: Initial spike, then high-level consolidation
The episode lifted safe-haven premia in gold and silver for a short period. As risk scenarios moved lower, pricing refocused on the US dollar and overall risk appetite.
On January 14, spot gold reached a record high of 4,642.85 US dollars per ounce and then entered a range. Spot silver rose to 93.70 US dollars per ounce. The gold-silver ratio fell below 50 for the first time since 2012.
Momentum eased after the surge. Trading stayed volatile at elevated levels.
US Dollar Index: Brief shock, trend resilience
After risk eased, US growth resilience and the policy rate path regained control.
The Dollar Index fell during the crisis week and then rebounded. It posted a third straight weekly gain and closed at 99.38. With conflict scenarios priced lower, the dollar again reflected economic fundamentals and rate differentials. Near-term moves depend on macro data and policy signals.
Forex: Rate differentials in charge, Yen under pressure
The dominant FX drivers remained interest rate spreads and policy divergence.
On Jan 13, JPY weakened and USD/JPY fell below 159, the weakest since July 2024. EUR and GBP were broadly range-bound with a softer bias; AUD was relatively steady with mild upside momentum. With policy divergence still wide, JPY’s funding-currency profile continued to weigh on performance.
Crude Oil: Premium priced in, then unwound
As a major producer, Iran’s escalation raised regional supply-stability concerns.
Markets quickly priced potential supply interruptions and crude touched multi month highs. As sentiment cooled, prices retraced. On January 15, WTI fell by more than 3 percent and Brent declined by more than 2 percent.
If tensions continue to ease, attention may shift to changes in Venezuela and Greenland.
US Stocks: Rotation absorbed the shock
Investors treated Iran Shock as a temporary disturbance rather than a growth inflection.
During the crisis week, flows rotated from high-valuation technology into value and cyclicals; small caps and cyclicals outperformed, and the Russell 2000 set a fresh high. Major indices posted modest declines: Dow -0.29%, S&P 500 -0.38%, Nasdaq -0.66%.
With risk downgraded, risk appetite remained broadly stable. Near-term volatility reflected a style rotation in equities rather than a trend reversal.
Risk Premia Cycle, Cross-Asset Dispersion Widens
The Iran episode did not alter the medium-term macro direction. It accelerated the near-term buildup and unwind of risk premia and widened cross asset dispersion.
Stock market handled the shock through sector rotation and showed relative resilience. Precious metals and crude oil reacted more to scenario changes, which lifted volatility and created short-term pressure.
ETO Markets will continue tracking geopolitical variables, macro conditions, and cross-asset linkages, providing a structured framework to support decision-making in complex market environments.
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