13.06.2025 08:12
Global markets reacted to escalating tensions in the Middle East on Friday, June 13th, with investors seeking the safety of gold as Israel launched a major military operation against Iran. This significant escalation, targeting Iranian nuclear facilities and military infrastructure, fueled uncertainty across financial markets. The operation, dubbed "Operation Rising Lion" by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, promises to be prolonged, adding further instability to an already volatile geopolitical landscape. Iran's military responded with a stern warning of severe repercussions for both Israel and the United States.
Adding to the day's market anxieties, the release of the University of Michigan's Consumer Sentiment Index for June was anticipated later in the trading session. This economic indicator provided further insight into the health of the US economy, a factor significantly impacting global market sentiment during periods of geopolitical uncertainty. The combination of escalating conflict and economic data contributed to a dynamic and unpredictable trading environment.
The US dollar demonstrated relative strength against other major currencies. Specifically, it showed the most significant gains against the New Zealand dollar. A heatmap of currency fluctuations revealed a complex interplay of strengths and weaknesses across various pairings. For instance, the US dollar appreciated by 0.85% against the New Zealand dollar, while simultaneously experiencing a 0.25% increase against the Euro. The GBP, JPY, CAD, and CHF all experienced smaller fluctuations relative to the USD, reflecting the dollar's overall position of relative strength amidst the unfolding geopolitical crisis. The table below displays the precise percentage changes for major currency pairs.
| | USD | EUR | GBP | JPY | CAD | AUD | NZD | CHF |
|-------|---------|---------|---------|---------|---------|---------|---------|---------|
| **USD** | 0.00% | 0.25% | 0.29% | 0.16% | 0.12% | 0.71% | 0.85% | 0.06% |
| **EUR** | -0.25% | 0.00% | 0.08% | -0.02% | -0.07% | 0.55% | 0.57% | -0.20% |
| **GBP** | -0.29% | -0.08% | 0.00% | -0.18% | -0.23% | 0.39% | 0.48% | -0.26% |
| **JPY** | -0.16% | 0.02% | 0.18% | 0.00% | 0.55% | 0.67% | -0.11% |
| **CAD** | -0.12% | 0.07% | 0.23% | 0.02% | 0.00% | 0.57% | 0.76% | -0.03% |
| **AUD** | -0.71% | -0.55% | -0.39% | -0.55% | -0.57% | 0.00% | 0.11% | -0.64% |
| **NZD** | -0.85% | -0.57% | -0.48% | -0.67% | -0.76% | -0.11% | 0.00% | -0.75% |
| **CHF** | -0.06% | 0.20% | 0.26% | 0.11% | 0.03% | 0.64% | 0.75% | 0.00% |
(Note: This table represents percentage changes of major currencies against each other. The base currency is on the left column, and the quote currency is on the top row.) The unfolding situation in the Middle East remained a significant driver of market movements throughout the day.
