US Strikes Iran as Tehran Hits US Bases Across Gulf | Horizons Middle East & Africa 9/2/2026

Watch on YouTube ↗  |  September 02, 2026 at 06:43  |  46:04  |  Bloomberg Markets
Speakers
Onur Ant — Bloomberg Reporter, Dubai
Stephen Stapczynski — Asia Energy Coverage, Bloomberg
Winnie Hsu — Bloomberg Reporter (Asia Markets)
Stephen Major — Global Macro Adviser, Tradition Dubai
Ben Powell — Chief Investment Strategist for APAC, BlackRock
Abeer Abu Omar — Reporter, Bloomberg London
Carla — Reporter, Middle East Economy & Government, Bloomberg
Jennifer Zabasajja — Chief Africa Correspondent, Bloomberg
Elon Musk — CEO, Tesla / SpaceX / xAI

Summary

Bloomberg Horizons Middle East & Africa covers escalating US-Iran strikes and their market impact: Brent crude rises above $95, Asian equities and global bonds sell off as yields climb, and oil-supply risks around the Strait of Hormuz persist. Guests discuss Treasury market functioning, Asian FX and rate-market moves, and BlackRock's positive view on the GCC investment pivot. The episode also covers Saudi Arabia's dollar bond sale, Senegal's IMF deal, and tech/AI headlines including Nvidia's Hugging Face talks.

  • US and Iran exchange fresh strikes, targeting Hormuz-related assets and raising supply-risk concerns.
  • Brent crude rises for a third session above $95 on prolonged supply disruption risk.
  • Global bond yields climb, with the 30-year Treasury near a 19-year high.
  • Asian equities fall about 2%, with Taiwan outperforming on AI-related support.
  • Australia's GDP beat boosts rate-hike bets; New Zealand hikes but the kiwi weakens.
  • BlackRock says the GCC investment cycle is pivoting toward domestic resilience, AI, defense and energy.
  • Saudi Arabia sells $3.25 billion in dollar bonds on strong demand; Senegal Eurobonds fall after its IMF deal.
  • Tech/AI items include Nvidia's reported Hugging Face talks and Google's possible Flash 3.8 model.
Ideas
Winnie Hsu Bloomberg Reporter (Asia Markets) 3:22
AI demand helps Taiwan outperform Korea
Taiwanese stocks are outperforming other tech-heavy Asian gauges, supported by Nvidia-related investments and Dell's upbeat earnings outlook; Taiwan has overtaken Korea as the world's best-performing major stock gauge this year on AI demand.
EWT MED
Onur Ant Bloomberg Reporter, Dubai 5:34
Prolonged US-Iran conflict supports oil risk
Strait of Hormuz physical oil flows are not back to prewar normal, with trader estimates around 6-8 million barrels per day and official estimates up to 8-10 million; the recent increase in attacks on Saudi tankers and the US hitting Iranian vessels may cause a pullback in physical flows, keeping supply risk live even though some oil is moving.
BNO HIGH
Stephen Major Global Macro Adviser, Tradition Dubai 14:22
Treasury market functioning, not fiscal distress
Higher Treasury yields are explained by shifted policy rate expectations, including a priced-in hike, rather than US fiscal or credit distress; swap spreads are not widening, so the Treasury market is functioning normally and dysfunction or default-risk concerns do not hold water.
TLT MED
Stephen Major Global Macro Adviser, Tradition Dubai 15:13
Dollar may weaken if US cools
The dollar has held up because of cyclical strength and rate differentials, but softer US data and structural and political negatives mean the dollar could start to decline against other currencies if the US economy cools further.
US Dollar Index (DXY) MED
Stephen Major Global Macro Adviser, Tradition Dubai 16:34
China bonds are safety bond choice
China's backdrop is disinflationary and stable, and Chinese bonds have been the safety bond of choice with hindsight as global yields sell off.
CBON MED
Stephen Major Global Macro Adviser, Tradition Dubai 16:49
BOJ hike pressure keeps JGB yields high
Japanese yields are high because Bank of Japan rate hikes are almost inevitable and forward guidance is strong, implying continued upward pressure on JGB yields.
JGBUX LOW
Winnie Hsu Bloomberg Reporter (Asia Markets) 26:19
Strong GDP boosts Australia rate hike bets
Stronger-than-expected Australian Q2 GDP is reinforcing bets that the central bank will have to raise rates into next year, pushing Australian yields higher and lifting the three-year yield to its highest since March.
Australia 10-year government bonds MED
Winnie Hsu Bloomberg Reporter (Asia Markets) 27:09
Dovish RBNZ outlook pressures kiwi dollar
Despite the RBNZ raising rates today, investors are focused on the dovish message and lower rate forecast for next year, causing the Kiwi dollar to weaken more than 1%.
NZD/USD HIGH
Winnie Hsu Bloomberg Reporter (Asia Markets) 27:29
AI demand strengthens Korean won
The Korean won is the only bright spot in Asian currencies today, showing pretty strong growth on the back of strong AI demand.
KRW LOW
Ben Powell Chief Investment Strategist for APAC, BlackRock 32:28
BlackRock positive on GCC resilience pivot
The US-Iran conflict is reshaping the GCC's roughly $2 trillion investment cycle, with more capital staying in the region to build economic and societal resilience, self-reliance, data centers, defense and energy; BlackRock is very positive on the GCC and this pivot.
GCC equities HIGH
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815 Money Talk (815머니톡) · Sep 02

This Bloomberg Markets video, published September 02, 2026, features Winnie Hsu, Onur Ant, Stephen Major, Ben Powell discussing EWT, BNO, TLT, US Dollar Index (DXY), CBON, JGBUX, Australia 10-year government bonds, NZD/USD, KRW, GCC equities. 10 trade ideas extracted by AI with direction and confidence scoring.

Speakers: Winnie Hsu, Onur Ant, Stephen Major, Ben Powell  · Tickers: EWT, BNO, TLT, US Dollar Index (DXY), CBON, JGBUX, Australia 10-year government bonds, NZD/USD, KRW, GCC equities