Global Markets Mixed in Q3: Nasdaq Rises, Oil Volatile, Crypto Surges

The third quarter of the year concluded with mixed results across international financial markets. On the Tel Aviv Stock Exchange, the TA 35 index saw a 3.5% increase, and the TA 125 index rose by 1.5%. However, the TA 90 index experienced a significant drop of nearly 4%. Sector-wise, the insurance index surged by 26%, and the banking index jumped 13%. Conversely, the real estate index fell by almost 10%, and the TA Cleantech index, representing green energy stocks, plummeted over 14%.

Wall Street presented a varied picture. The Nasdaq Composite climbed more than 5%, and the S&P 500 gained 1.5%. In contrast, the Dow Jones Industrial Average declined by 3.7%, and the Russell 2000 index, tracking small-cap stocks, plunged over 4.5%. Bond yields reached 24-year highs during the quarter.

Commodity markets were dynamic. Oil prices experienced sharp fluctuations, driven by US-Iran tensions, with an initial surge of up to 25% during the quarter. By the end of Q3, oil prices recorded an overall increase of approximately 6%. Precious metals like gold and silver saw declines of around 12%.

The cryptocurrency market was a major focus, with Bitcoin prices sharply increasing by about 32% to $87,000. Ethereum and XRP saw even greater gains, rising approximately 40% and 43% respectively. Solana experienced a particularly strong rally, jumping over 60%.