March 27, 2026
Markets:
U.S. stock futures were lower on Friday, while crude prices rose, as traders monitored the latest developments on the Iran war.
International benchmark Brent crude futures rose 2% to above $110 per barrel. U.S. West Texas Intermediate futures also gained 2% to above $96 a barrel.
Friday’s slip comes a day after the Nasdaq Composite fell into a correction, down more than 10% from a record set in October. The Dow is also nearing correction territory, down more than 9% from its all-time high. The S&P 500 is around 7% below its record.
President Donald Trump extended a deadline to attack Iran’s energy infrastructure said he would extend a pause to attack Iran’s energy facilities to April 6, a little over a week after the original deadline that was set to end Friday.
The announcement is the latest signal the Trump administration is seeking an end to the U.S.-Iran war, a conflict that has resulted in surging oil prices that’s already hurting voters at the pump and could cost Republicans their seats in the midterm elections.
A resolution to the conflict would be a boon for the stock market, which has tumbled since U.S. and Israel attacked Iran’s energy infrastructure on Feb. 28.
Uncertainty remains for investors, however, after Iran’s foreign minister reportedly told state media this week that Tehran has no intention of holding talks with the U.S., even if its leaders are reviewing an American proposal to end the war. On top of that, The Wall Street Journal reported, citing people familiar with the matter, that the Pentagon was considering sending another 10,000 troops to the Middle East.
Portfolio:
We head into the final trading session of the week with one active setup in ONDS. Oil is pushing higher again this morning, with WTI crude trading near $97 per barrel.
On the geopolitical front, Trump announced yesterday that the deadline for Iran to reach an agreement has been extended by 10 days to April 6, while planned strikes on Iranian energy infrastructure have been paused as negotiations were described as “progressing well.” Reports indicate that Tehran rejected a 15-point U.S. proposal delivered through Pakistan, with Iranian officials stating the terms heavily favored U.S. and Israeli interests.
From a market standpoint, it wouldn’t be surprising to see this situation resolved by next weekend, potentially even sooner, allowing markets to reset and establish a new runway. Historically, the highest volume trading days tend to precede short-term bottoms, and we still haven’t seen a true panic-driven session since December 17. With QQQ trading well below the 200-day SMA and not yet in a clear technical oversold condition, the probability of a sharp capitulation-style move increases. That type of flush is something to watch closely.
Another key factor that isn’t getting much attention is quarter-end, which is just four days away. Institutional repositioning and algorithmic shifts typically occur during this period, often creating a directional change or volatility spike.
Stay patient, stay disciplined, and be ready.