Week Ahead: Monday, March 16, 2026 to Friday, March 20, 2026 — Market Analysis

Key Themes This Week

• •The U.S.-Israel war with Iran, now in its third week, has disrupted global oil flows through the Strait of Hormuz and sent crude prices above $90 per barrel, creating the largest supply shock in modern history
• •The Federal Reserve's March 17-18 meeting will include updated economic projections and the quarterly 'dot plot,' with markets pricing in a 92% probability of rates remaining at 3.50-3.75% as policymakers assess inflation risks from energy prices
• •Key economic data releases include February Producer Price Index, Empire State Manufacturing Index, and Philadelphia Fed Index, offering insights into how inflation and manufacturing are evolving amid geopolitical uncertainty