WS #9123

The dominant signal in this window is a major escalation in the US-Iran conflict, with Iran launching seven ballistic missiles at Kuwait and Bahrain, and the US striking Iranian radar sites on Qeshm Island. Multiple sources (Bluesky OSINT accounts, Al Jazeera, GDELT) corroborate the missile attacks and interceptions. This escalation threatens to disrupt global oil routes through the Strait of Hormuz and could push oil prices sharply higher, impacting energy stocks (XOM, CVX) positively and airlines (DAL, UAL) negatively. The IRGC has warned the US will be responsible for consequences of a complete closure of the Strait of Hormuz, adding to supply disruption fears. Separately, US markets experienced a sharp selloff on Friday, with the Nasdaq Composite falling 4% and the Nasdaq-100 down 4.77%, driven by a strong jobs report that reinforced expectations of a Fed rate hike. This macro selloff is a bearish signal for growth and tech stocks broadly. Additionally, a report from the Financial Times (via Bluesky) indicates Meta Platforms (META) is considering a massive capital raise of tens of billions through new share issuance, which would dilute existing shareholders and could pressure the stock, especially given the ongoing tech selloff. This is a MAG7-specific signal that contradicts the broader tech bear narrative. The Iran situation is clearly ESCALATING, while the US equity selloff is a new development that adds to risk-off sentiment.