U.S.-Iran peace talks affect stock markets

David Scutt analyses stock market impacts of U.S.-Iran deal, oil prices, and military readiness trends

Stocks fell on Tuesday as investors reacted to rising geopolitical uncertainty surrounding a potential US–Iran peace deal, with markets closely watching an approaching ceasefire deadline and heightened rhetoric from President Donald Trump, who emphasised military readiness if negotiations fail.

StoneX analyst David Scutt noted that the shifting tone around negotiations has been a key driver of sentiment, with traders increasingly focused on how quickly diplomatic progress could either stabilise or further unsettle global markets.

David Scutt of StoneX at the Ticker Studio with Ahron Young

The developments added fresh pressure to already sensitive markets, with concerns that stalled diplomacy could escalate instability in the Middle East and disrupt global energy routes, particularly through the Strait of Hormuz. Oil prices and broader equities moved with increased volatility as traders reassessed risk exposure tied to the region.

Despite the downturn, analysts continue to monitor corporate earnings for signs of underlying resilience in the economy. Early first-quarter results are offering a mixed but cautiously optimistic picture, with some sectors holding up better than expected against broader macroeconomic uncertainty.

Market benchmarks such as the S&P 500 and Nasdaq are also being weighed against historical performance trends, as investors look for direction beyond headline geopolitical risks.

Individual corporate stories are further influencing sentiment, including UnitedHealth’s earnings reaction and Amazon’s strategic investment in Anthropic, which has drawn attention to long-term bets in artificial intelligence.

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