Financial markets are responding to the Iran conflict in unexpected ways — leaving some investors puzzled

Site SearchClearSEARCHAdvanced Search ➔Search ResultsSymbolsNo results foundAll NewsArticlesVideoPodcasts0 ResultsNo Results FoundAuthorsNo results foundSectionsNo results foundColumnsNo results found Market ExtraFinancial markets are responding to the Iran conflict in unexpected ways — leaving some investors puzzledGold, often a haven during times of stress, has been falling. Meanwhile, stocks are down, but not as much as many expected.Last Updated: March 22, 2026 at 7:11 p.m. ETFirst Published: March 21, 2026 at 8:00 a.m. ETShareResizeListen(7 min)Markets are sending investors mixed signals. Photo: Getty Images/iStockAlthough President Donald Trump initially said war with Iran would last four weeks or less, the conflict has been going on for three weeks now and shows no end in sight.Investors find themselves in the middle of a hot war in the Middle East, with oil prices touching their highest levels in years. Yet despite all of this economic and geopolitical chaos, gold and silver prices seemingly can’t stop sliding. About the Author Gordon GottsegenGordon Gottsegen covers retail investing for MarketWatch. Joseph AdinolfiJoseph Adinolfi is a markets reporter at MarketWatch. Show Conversation (0)Back To TopA Dow Jones CompanyCopyright © 2026 MarketWatch, Inc. All rights reserved.Terms of UsePrivacy NoticeCookie NoticeArchive MarketwatchCustomer CenterContact UsNewslettersNewsroom RosterVirtual Stock ExchangeMarketWatch GuidesCopyright PolicyManage NotificationsCancel My SubscriptionCompanyDow JonesCode of ConductCorrectionsReprints & LicensingDigital Self ServiceYour Ad ChoicesCorporate SubscriptionsAccessibilityDow Jones NetworkThe Wall Street JournalBarron'sInvestor's Business DailyFinancial News Londonrealtor.comMansion GlobalDow Jones Smart MoneyIntraday Data provided by FACTSET and subject to terms of use. Historical and current end-of-day data provided by FACTSET. All quotes are in local exchange time. Real-time last sale data for U.S. stock quotes reflect trades reported through Nasdaq only. Intraday data delayed at least 15 minutes or per exchange requirements.