Fact Check: "The stock market went down while the price of oil went up after the attack."
What We Know
Following Israel's attack on Iranian nuclear and military targets, the financial markets reacted sharply. Reports indicate that oil prices surged significantly, with benchmark U.S. crude jumping by 7.3% to $72.98 per barrel, while Brent crude rose by 7% to $74.23 per barrel (AP News). Concurrently, major U.S. stock indices experienced notable declines: the S&P 500 fell by 1.1%, the Dow Jones Industrial Average dropped by 769 points (1.8%), and the Nasdaq composite lost 1.3% (Yahoo Finance). This reaction was driven by concerns over potential disruptions to oil supply due to escalating violence in the region, particularly through critical shipping routes like the Strait of Hormuz, which is vital for global oil transport (AP News).
Analysis
The claim that the stock market declined while oil prices increased is substantiated by multiple credible sources. The Associated Press reported a direct correlation between the attack and market responses, noting that the stock market's downturn was attributed to fears of escalating conflict affecting oil supply (AP News). Yahoo Finance corroborated this by stating that stocks opened lower following the attack, while oil prices surged (Yahoo Finance).
The International Energy Agency (IEA) also highlighted the geopolitical risks associated with the conflict, noting that while there was no immediate impact on physical oil supply, the market was reacting to perceived risks (IEA). This sentiment was echoed by various market analysts who pointed out that past conflicts involving Iran and Israel had led to similar market reactions, where initial spikes in oil prices were often followed by declines once the immediate fears subsided (AP News).
The reliability of these sources is strong; both the AP and Yahoo Finance are established news organizations with a history of accurate reporting on financial markets. The IEA is a reputable international body known for its authoritative analysis of the oil market.
Conclusion
The evidence clearly supports the claim that "the stock market went down while the price of oil went up after the attack." The simultaneous rise in oil prices and fall in stock indices following the attack on Iran is well-documented and corroborated by multiple credible sources. Therefore, the verdict is True.
Sources
- Crude oil jumps and stocks sink after Israel's attack on Iran
- Dow, S&P 500, Nasdaq dive, oil surges as Israel and Iran ...
- Oil Market Report - October 2023 - International Energy Agency
- Oil prices surge as much as 14%, U.S. stock futures fall ...
- Oil price leaps and airline shares fall after Hamas attack on ...
- Oil prices leap 7% and US stocks slump more than 1% on ...
- Oil prices surge over 7%, U.S. stock futures fall as Israel ...
- Oil prices surge as much as 14%, U.S. stock futures fall as ...