WS #3272

The data dump reveals escalating geopolitical tensions and significant market reactions. President Trump has extended the deadline for Iran to reopen the Strait of Hormuz by 10 days to April 6, as reported by multiple sources including GDELT and strategist.cy, corroborating earlier reports. This development occurs amid warnings from the Israeli military that Iran's missiles now have a 4,000 km range, potentially threatening European capitals like Berlin and Paris, as highlighted in GDELT and DW reports, raising defense sector concerns. Concurrently, NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte reported that all NATO allies met the 2% of GDP defense spending target in 2025, with European and Canadian spending increasing by 20% to $574 billion, signaling sustained defense sector growth. However, Rutte faces criticism for his support of Trump's Iran war, causing friction within NATO, as noted in ANSA. In corporate news, Meta Platforms and Alphabet (Google) were found liable in a U.S. lawsuit over social media addiction, ordered to pay $3 billion, with Meta responsible for 70%. This follows a similar ruling earlier in the week, contributing to significant stock declines: Meta fell 7.9% and Alphabet 3.4%, as reported by GDELT and Swedish media, with the Nasdaq Composite down 2.38%. Additionally, Rheinmetall and Indra signed a memorandum of understanding for a strategic partnership to bid on Spanish military contracts worth billions, including up to 3,000 military trucks, potentially boosting defense stocks. The U.S. Treasury announced that President Trump's signature will appear on dollar notes starting in June, a symbolic move that could influence currency sentiment. Market technicals show the Nasdaq 100 and Nasdaq Composite both down 2.38%, with specific tech stocks like Meta, NVIDIA, and Applied Materials among the worst performers, reflecting bearish sentiment driven by geopolitical risks and legal setbacks. Oil prices remain elevated due to the Strait of Hormuz closure, with