Iran-US tensions rise; US dollar nears 99, gold may hit $4650, oil up 4%+.

On Thursday, due to the escalating tensions in the Middle East caused by the confrontation between Iran and the United States, the US dollar index strengthened during the US trading session and briefly approached the 99 level, ultimately closing up 0.21% at 98.81; The benchmark 10-year Treasury yield closed at 4.329%, while the 2-year Treasury yield sensitive to the Federal Reserve policy rate closed at 3.846%. The geopolitical situation in the Middle East continues to be volatile, international oil prices continue to rise, suppressing expectations of interest rate cuts by the Federal Reserve, and the US dollar index strengthens. On Thursday (April 23), spot gold hit a new low of $4664.28 per ounce in volatility, setting a new low in nearly two weeks. Although it regained all lost ground during the trading session due to news of Lebanon and Israel possibly extending the ceasefire, it still lost to the strong US dollar in the late trading session and ultimately closed at $4694.07, a decrease of about 1% for the whole day. Due to reports that Iran's chief negotiator, Khaliyev, has resigned from his position, international oil prices have risen sharply. WTI crude oil started to rise during the US trading session and briefly surged to $100, ultimately closing up 4.16% at $99.29 per barrel; Brent crude oil ultimately closed up 4.39% at $101.11 per barrel.