Iraqi Prime Minister Press Office, via Associated Press
Alot has happened last night. A air strike took place in Iraq via USA. All Americans are urged to leave Iraq immediately. The attack will leave ripples of its effects on the USA and other countries. I'm thinking of our troops their families and children. This saddens me knowing what will happen next. Our Men and Women that serve our Country will be injured and killed in this kind of conflict. Lets all take time to Pray for our Country, Men, Women, and Children.
See article below CNN Business by Paul R. La Monica.
Gold, crude oil and other "fear trades" spike
Most stocks on Wall Street slumped this morning on the news of the US drone strike in Baghdad that killed Iranian general Qasem Soleimani. But investments that tend to do well during times when traders are nervous about geopolitical turmoil shot higher.
- Gold rose more than 1% to about $1,555 an ounce.
- Bitcoin surged 4% to $7,250.
- The VIX, a volatility measure often dubbed Wall Street's fear gauge, was up 7%.
- Crude oil prices rose nearly 4% to above $63 a barrel.
- Dow oil stocks Exxon Mobil (XOM) and Chevron (CVX) were each trading higher.
- Top defense stocks, including Lockheed Martin (LMT), Raytheon (RTN) and Northrop Grumman (NOC), were all up in early trading.
Meanwhile, the CNN Business Fear & Greed Index, which looks at seven indicators of market sentiment, plunged this morning after hitting a record high yesterday.
CNN Posted:
What you need to know
- Iranian military leader killed: Qasem Soleimani, top general and one of the most powerful men in Iran, was killed in a drone strike at Baghdad airport early today. His deputy was also killed.
- Trump ordered the strike: Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said the airstrikes disrupted an "imminent attack" in the region that put American lives at risk.
- Iran's response: Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei vows for "harsh revenge."