US stock markets experienced a downturn as tensions in the Persian Gulf and rising oil prices prompted investors to take profits. The Dow Jones, S&P 500, and Nasdaq all closed lower. Tech stocks, particularly in AI, showed resilience.
China exported a record 68 GW of solar panels, cells and wafers in March 2026 – roughly twice February's level – as tensions in the Persian Gulf shipping corridor following US-Israel military strikes on Iran (Feb 28) triggered an energy crisis. The surge, equivalent to Spain's entire installed solar capacity and 50% above the previous August 2025 record, saw at least 50 countries record all-time highs in Chinese solar equipment imports, reflecting rapid expansion across emerging and developed markets.
