• Home
  • Latest
  • Fortune 500
  • Finance
  • Tech
  • Leadership
  • Lifestyle
  • Rankings
  • Multimedia

Trendingnow

1

Despite having a $165 million net worth, Scarlett Johansson says work-life balance doesn’t exist—and the first step to success is admitting that

2

Microsoft AI chief gives it 18 months—for all white-collar work to be automated by AI

3

The Bezos family just donated $100 million to help achieve one of Mayor Zohran Mamdani’s top campaign promises

1

Despite having a $165 million net worth, Scarlett Johansson says work-life balance doesn’t exist—and the first step to success is admitting that

2

Microsoft AI chief gives it 18 months—for all white-collar work to be automated by AI

3

The Bezos family just donated $100 million to help achieve one of Mayor Zohran Mamdani’s top campaign promises
EnergyOil

Bond yields are falling even as oil tops $102, showing that Wall Street fears recession more than inflation

Jason Ma
By
Jason Ma
Jason Ma
Weekend Editor
Down Arrow Button Icon
Jason Ma
By
Jason Ma
Jason Ma
Weekend Editor
Down Arrow Button Icon
March 30, 2026, 10:56 AM ET
A driver refuels a tractor trailer with diesel at a Chevron in Tracy, Calif., March 25, 2026.
A driver refuels a tractor trailer with diesel at a Chevron in Tracy, Calif., March 25, 2026. David Paul Morris—Bloomberg/Getty Images

Bond yields are coming back down as President Donald Trump’s war on Iran looks to keep oil prices higher for longer, flipping the outlook from high inflation to a recession.

Recommended Video

Before the war, yields eased on expectations for Federal Reserve rate cuts as inflation cooled. Then the war drove up bond yields, after soaring crude rattled the outlook for inflation and the Fed. Now rate cuts are looking possible again.

With the Strait of Hormuz still firmly in Iran’s control, making the regime the gatekeeper to one-fifth of the world’s oil and liquefied natural gas supplies, the disruption to energy markets is too severe to be undone with a social media post from Trump.

Despite his claims that talks with Tehran are going well, oil continued rising on Monday with West Texas Intermediate up 2.7% to top $102 a barrel, and Brent crude up 1.7% to more than $114. At the same time, the 10-year yield plunged nine basis points to 4.35%.

The oil spike has also pushed the average gallon of regular gasoline to $3.99, up $1.01 from a month ago, according to AAA. But diesel, a key industrial fuel that affects food and other products that are shipped, has shot up even more, hitting $5.416 a gallon.

“Oil prices are higher again this morning, but Treasury yields are lower as the risks to economic growth begin to take precedence over the risks to inflation,” Oxford Economics said in a note on Monday.

Michael Brown, senior research strategist at Pepperstone, pointed out that Trump’s attempts to talk down the market now have diminishing returns, with investors demanding actual evidence of concrete steps toward de-escalation.

In a note Monday, he added that the market has finally realized expectations for central bank rates were far too hawkish.

“As I’ve been harping on about for a while now, the energy price shock will of course raise spot headline inflation in the short term, but it will also amount to a significant negative demand shock, posing significant growth headwinds that would only be exacerbated by G10 central banks tightening policy,” Brown wrote.

Meanwhile, the Iran war is headed for a major escalation and a longer timeline. Over the weekend, 2,500 U.S. Marines arrived in the Middle East, and thousands more are en route ahead of an anticipated ground assault meant to reopen the Strait of Hormuz.

In retaliation for a ground invasion, Iran’s Houthi allies in Yemen could attack ships in the Red Sea, halting the flow of oil and cargo via a route that’s been used to bypass the Strait of Hormuz. Then oil prices would go even higher.

Last week, economists at Bank of America Research calculated that if U.S. oil prices stay in the $80 to $100 range, the risks to inflation far outweigh the risks to the unemployment rate, making Fed rate hikes most plausible.

But above that “Goldilocks” oil price, inflation risks start declining and head toward a convergence with a rising unemployment threat, they added.

“Risks to inflation should rise initially but then fall if the shock is large enough, due to demand destruction,” BofA said. “Negative wealth effects from a sustained equity selloff would exacerbate downside risks to labor and limit the upside to inflation.”

Subscribe to Fortune Gulf Brief. Every Tuesday, this new newsletter will deliver clear-eyed, authoritative intelligence on the deals, decisions, policies, and power shifts shaping one of the world’s most consequential regions, written for the people who need to act on it. Sign up here.
About the Author
Jason Ma
By Jason MaWeekend Editor

Jason Ma is the weekend editor at Fortune, where he covers markets, the economy, finance, and housing.

See full bioRight Arrow Button Icon

Latest in Energy

Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025

Most Popular

Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Fortune Secondary Logo
Rankings
  • 100 Best Companies
  • Fortune 500
  • Global 500
  • Fortune 500 Europe
  • Most Powerful Women
  • World's Most Admired Companies
  • See All Rankings
  • Lists Calendar
Sections
  • Finance
  • Fortune Crypto
  • Features
  • Leadership
  • Health
  • Commentary
  • Success
  • Retail
  • Mpw
  • Tech
  • Lifestyle
  • CEO Initiative
  • Asia
  • Politics
  • Conferences
  • Europe
  • Newsletters
  • Personal Finance
  • Environment
  • Magazine
  • Education
Customer Support
  • Frequently Asked Questions
  • Customer Service Portal
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms Of Use
  • Single Issues For Purchase
  • International Print
Commercial Services
  • Advertising
  • Fortune Brand Studio
  • Fortune Analytics
  • Fortune Conferences
  • Business Development
  • Group Subscriptions
About Us
  • About Us
  • Press Center
  • Work At Fortune
  • Terms And Conditions
  • Site Map
  • About Us
  • Press Center
  • Work At Fortune
  • Terms And Conditions
  • Site Map
  • Facebook icon
  • Twitter icon
  • LinkedIn icon
  • Instagram icon
  • Pinterest icon

Latest in Energy

Oil markets could be a month away from the moment of truth. Brace for a ‘non-linear’ price spike and panic buying, analysts warn
EnergyOil
Oil markets could be a month away from the moment of truth. Brace for a ‘non-linear’ price spike and panic buying, analysts warn
By Jason MaMay 16, 2026
59 minutes ago
deep-sea mining equipment
EnvironmentChina
China dominates the minerals that power AI. But one company claims there’s enough supply on the ocean floor to last for hundreds of years
By Jake AngeloMay 15, 2026
1 day ago
Current price of oil as of May 15, 2026
Personal FinanceOil
Current price of oil as of May 15, 2026
By Joseph HostetlerMay 15, 2026
1 day ago
Wall Street sees ‘nothing of real substance’ in Trump’s China trade deal—and stocks sell off globally
North AmericaMarkets
Wall Street sees ‘nothing of real substance’ in Trump’s China trade deal—and stocks sell off globally
By Jim EdwardsMay 15, 2026
1 day ago
Peter Thiel, wearing a white shirt and in front of a red background, holds up a dollar bill.
EnergyData centers
Peter Thiel is leading investment in an ocean data center powered by waves—and the startup is reportedly worth $1 billion
By Sasha RogelbergMay 14, 2026
2 days ago
Current price of oil as of May 14, 2026
Personal FinanceOil
Current price of oil as of May 14, 2026
By Joseph HostetlerMay 14, 2026
2 days ago

Most Popular

Despite having a $165 million net worth, Scarlett Johansson says work-life balance doesn’t exist—and the first step to success is admitting that
Success
Despite having a $165 million net worth, Scarlett Johansson says work-life balance doesn’t exist—and the first step to success is admitting that
By Preston ForeMay 13, 2026
3 days ago
Microsoft AI chief gives it 18 months—for all white-collar work to be automated by AI
AI
Microsoft AI chief gives it 18 months—for all white-collar work to be automated by AI
By Jake AngeloMay 16, 2026
8 hours ago
The Bezos family just donated $100 million to help achieve one of Mayor Zohran Mamdani’s top campaign promises
Politics
The Bezos family just donated $100 million to help achieve one of Mayor Zohran Mamdani’s top campaign promises
By Jake AngeloMay 12, 2026
4 days ago
Current price of oil as of May 15, 2026
Personal Finance
Current price of oil as of May 15, 2026
By Joseph HostetlerMay 15, 2026
1 day ago
Meet the 20-year-old CEO who launched a company in high school to solve Gen Z's entry-level job crisis
Future of Work
Meet the 20-year-old CEO who launched a company in high school to solve Gen Z's entry-level job crisis
By Jake AngeloMay 16, 2026
11 hours ago
‘You’re not a hero, you’re a liability’: Shark Tank’s Kevin O’Leary warns Gen Z founders to stop glorifying hustle culture
Future of Work
‘You’re not a hero, you’re a liability’: Shark Tank’s Kevin O’Leary warns Gen Z founders to stop glorifying hustle culture
By Jacqueline MunisMay 16, 2026
8 hours ago

© 2026 Fortune Media IP Limited. All Rights Reserved. Use of this site constitutes acceptance of our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy | CA Notice at Collection and Privacy Notice | Do Not Sell/Share My Personal Information
FORTUNE is a trademark of Fortune Media IP Limited, registered in the U.S. and other countries. FORTUNE may receive compensation for some links to products and services on this website. Offers may be subject to change without notice.