Middle East Conflict Risks Weigh on Stock Futures
Written by Emily J. Thompson, Senior Investment Analyst
Updated: Mar 23 2026
0mins
Should l Buy NEM?
Source: seekingalpha
- Market Volatility: Stock futures slipped Monday morning as investors weighed the risks of a prolonged Middle East conflict following President Trump's ultimatum to Iran over the Strait of Hormuz, reflecting market sensitivity to geopolitical tensions.
- Oil and Gold Prices: While oil prices held near recent peaks, gold prices tumbled significantly due to rising inflation and interest rate concerns, indicating a potential shift in investor asset allocation away from traditional safe havens.
- Synopsys Stock Surge: Shares of Synopsys (SNPS) rose by 4% after activist investor Elliott Investment Management disclosed a multibillion-dollar stake and signaled plans for operational and financial improvements, highlighting the company's strategic importance in the semiconductor ecosystem.
- Newmont Stock Decline: Newmont (NEM) saw a 6% drop as precious metals prices slid more than 5% due to surging inflation expectations, reflecting the vulnerability of mining companies in the current economic climate and potential impacts on future profitability.
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Analyst Views on NEM
Wall Street analysts forecast NEM stock price to fall
14 Analyst Rating
11 Buy
3 Hold
0 Sell
Strong Buy
Current: 113.410
Low
89.00
Averages
110.85
High
125.00
Current: 113.410
Low
89.00
Averages
110.85
High
125.00
About NEM
Newmont Corporation is a gold company and a producer of copper, zinc, lead, and silver with operations and/or assets in the Africa, Australia, Latin America & Caribbean, North America, and Papua New Guinea regions. The Company's operations include Brucejack, Red Chris, Penasquito, Merian, Cerro Negro, Yanacocha, Boddington, Tanami, Cadia, Lihir, Ahafo, and NGM. The Brucejack operation includes four mining leases and six core mineral claims which cover 8,169 acres (3,306 hectares) and 337 mineral claims covering 298,795 acres (120,918 hectares). The Red Chris operation includes five mining leases which cover 12,703 acres and 199 mineral claims, encompassing an area of 164,903 acres (66,734 hectares). Penasquito includes 20 mining concessions for operations comprising 113,231 acres (45,823 hectares) and 60 mining concessions for exploration of 107,456 acres (43,486 hectares). The Merian operation includes one right of exploitation encompassing an area of 41,687 acres (16,870 hectares).
About the author

Emily J. Thompson
Emily J. Thompson, a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) with 12 years in investment research, graduated with honors from the Wharton School. Specializing in industrial and technology stocks, she provides in-depth analysis for Intellectia’s earnings and market brief reports.
- Market Rebound: The S&P 500 and Nasdaq Composite reached all-time highs this week, with the S&P 500 surpassing 7,100 for the first time, reflecting strong investor confidence in economic recovery and suggesting further upward momentum for equities.
- Earnings Expectations: According to FactSet, the S&P 500 is projected to have a blended growth rate of 12.5% in Q1, with 78% of reporting companies exceeding expectations, providing a positive backdrop for the upcoming earnings season that could further bolster market confidence.
- Oil Price Volatility: While oil prices have fallen to around $80 per barrel, significantly below the $110 peak during the conflict, the market must remain vigilant regarding the potential impacts of U.S.-Iran tensions on global supply chains, particularly concerning the safety of transit through the Strait of Hormuz.
- Technical Fragility: Despite the market's strong short-term performance, analyst Craig Johnson warns that the rapid transition from oversold to overbought conditions masks underlying macroeconomic risks, urging investors to remain cautious and focus on high-quality investment opportunities.
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- National Bank of Canada Update: The National Bank of Canada has revised its sector performance outlook, indicating a shift in market expectations.
- Target Price Adjustment: The bank has lowered its target price for a specific sector from $140 to $130, reflecting a more cautious approach to future performance.
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- Processing Operations at Cadia: Cadia has ramped up its processing operations, indicating a return to normal throughput levels.
- Impact on Production: The increase in processing capacity is expected to positively affect overall production metrics at the site.
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- Damage Assessment: Inspections indicate that while damage is present in certain underground areas, it is not significant.
- Impact Evaluation: The findings suggest that the overall impact of the damage is minimal and manageable.
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Corporate Update: Newmont Corporation has provided an update on its operations in Canada, highlighting recent developments and performance metrics.
Operational Highlights: The update includes key operational achievements and challenges faced by Newmont in its Canadian operations, reflecting the company's strategic focus in the region.
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