WS #3261

The dominant signal in this data dump is the continued escalation and uncertainty surrounding the U.S.-Iran conflict, specifically regarding the Strait of Hormuz. President Trump has extended the deadline for Iran to open the strait to April 6, 2026, pausing threats to bomb Iranian energy plants, as reported by multiple sources including CNBC, AP, and various social media posts. This geopolitical tension is driving significant market volatility, with oil prices briefly erasing gains on the news, and mortgage rates spiking to 6.49% amid war fallout, indicating inflationary pressures. The conflict's impact is systemic, affecting energy markets, defense stocks, and broader indices, with the S&P 500 unofficially closing down 1.75%. Corporate developments show limited broad impact but include notable signals. Unity Software (U) has raised its Q1 2026 revenue guidance from $480-490M to $505-508M, leading to a stock surge in after-hours trading, which could positively influence the technology sector. Wolfspeed (WOLF) announced a private placement redeeming $475.9M of senior secured notes, expected to lower annual interest expense by ~$62M, potentially boosting its financial health. Additionally, Netflix has increased prices for all plans by up to $2 per month, which may support its revenue growth but could affect consumer sentiment in the streaming sector. Other items include routine SEC filings and minor earnings reports with minimal market-moving implications. The geopolitical developments remain the highest priority, with cross-source corroboration from news outlets and social media highlighting ongoing risks to oil supply chains and global trade stability.