Stock markets are in free fall, from Asia to Europe, as the war in the Middle East pushes oil and gas prices up once again. Among the markets at the opening, Milan is the worst performer (-3.8%). Madrid (-3.2%), Frankfurt (-2.8%), Paris (-2.2%), and London (-2%) also performed poorly.

Investors are questioning the duration of the hostilities: and with US President Donald Trump having announced that the attacks are expected to last 4-5 weeks , it's increasingly clear that the escalation of the conflict is also linked to the blockage of energy supply chains and, consequently, the stability of the global economy. A key issue is the situation around the Strait of Hormuz, which, if it remains blocked for a long time, as the Pasdaran announced yesterday, would inevitably lead to energy speculation, with serious repercussions for Italy as well.

Meanwhile, the price of gas continues its upward trend, exceeding 60 euros per megawatt hour.   with a further double-digit increase compared to yesterday's approximately 40%. Fuel prices are also up, with diesel prices increasing by over 16%, reaching a level last reached on February 14, 2024. Gasoline prices are also at their highest since June 23, 2025, with self-service prices at €1.674 per liter and self-service diesel prices at €1.728 per liter.