MRKT Matrix Stocks Turn Green For The Week, Looking Past Iran Conflict
Mar 4, 2026
Markets rebound as oil and data ease fears of a wider slowdown. Discussion of Strait of Hormuz risks and how oil disruption could spark global inflation. Coverage of a major Fed nomination and questions about central bank independence. Analysis of rising 401(k) hardship withdrawals and uneven payroll gains. Tech headlines include NVIDIA's accounting shift and big AI investments, plus chip-price tactics from Apple.
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Market Rally Driven By Oil Pullback And Strong Services Data
- Stocks rallied as oil eased and data signaled the economy remained resilient.
- The Dow jumped ~250 points and chips led gains after ADP jobs and services data eased growth fears.
Strait Of Hormuz Risks Could Trigger Large Oil Shock
- Oil pulled back after the U.S. signaled plans to protect tanker traffic through the Strait of Hormuz.
- Bloomberg Economics warns a prolonged U.S.-Iran war could spike oil ~80% to ~$108/barrel, fueling global inflation risks.
Warsh Nomination Raises Fed Independence Concerns
- Donald Trump nominated Kevin Warsh to replace Jerome Powell as Fed chair amid Senate uncertainty.
- Concerns rose that political pressure and investigations could erode Fed independence if leadership changes.