Investors Move to Safety Ahead of U.S. Jobs Data Amid Iran Conflict
Markets are turning defensive as investors brace for U.S. labor data and escalating tensions in Iran.
Bitcoin is testing the $70,000 level after peaking near $74,000 earlier this week, reflecting broader risk-off sentiment. The U.S. jobs report, due at 13:30 UTC, is expected to show the unemployment rate steady at 4.3% and nonfarm payrolls falling to 59,000—data that could influence Federal Reserve rate expectations.
Geopolitical concerns have pushed WTI crude above $83 per barrel, up more than 5% in 24 hours. The U.S. Dollar Index (DXY) strengthened past 99, while the 10-year Treasury yield rose to roughly 4.16%.
Equities are slightly lower, with the Invesco QQQ ETF down about 0.5% pre-market. Crypto-related stocks, including MicroStrategy (MSTR), Coinbase (COIN), and Marathon Digital (MARA), are also trading weaker
