🌏 Morning Update - March 4, 2026 Global markets remain volatile as geopolitical tensions in the Middle East continue to dominate investor sentiment and push energy prices higher. 📉 Asian equities extend losses. Regional markets are falling for a third consecutive session as investors move away from risk assets. Japan’s Nikkei 225 is down around 3-4%, Chinese indices are losing about 0.7-1.5%, and Australia’s ASX 200 is lower by roughly 0.7%. The sharpest move remains in South Korea, where the KOSPI plunged more than 11%, triggering trading halts as investors locked in profits after strong gains earlier this year. 🛢 Oil rises on supply risks. Energy markets remain focused on the Strait of Hormuz after attacks near key shipping routes disrupted tanker traffic. WTI crude is trading around $76 per barrel, while Brent is near $83, keeping oil close to the highest levels seen this week. The US administration has also announced plans for naval protection and insurance support for tanker shipments in an attempt to stabilize energy transport. 🟡 Gold rebounds as safe-haven demand returns. After a volatile start to the week, gold is rising again and trading near $5,150 per ounce, while silver is climbing above $84, reflecting renewed demand for defensive assets. 💱 Currency markets mixed. The Australian dollar remains among the weakest currencies, pressured by risk-off sentiment, while the New Zealand dollar and Swiss franc are showing relative strength. 📊 Macro signals remain uneven. China’s official PMI indicators remain in contraction territory, while private-sector surveys suggest stronger export-driven activity. Meanwhile, Australia reported GDP growth of 0.8% quarter-on-quarter and 2.6% year-on-year, exceeding expectations but with household consumption still cautious. ⚡ Geopolitics, oil prices, and macro data are currently the key drivers of global markets. 🚀 Stay alert, manage risk carefully, and follow NordFX