Market Talks covering the impact of U.S. Politics and White House policies on companies and markets. Published exclusively on Dow Jones Newswires throughout the day.

1155 ET - Rumors of regulations soon to come from the EPA regarding renewable fuel obligations has been a driver for stronger soybean prices this year. Overall though, production in the sector is lagging behind where those watching the market would expect it to be at this point. One reason for that is the regulatory uncertainty coming out of Washington, says Bree Baatz of Terrain in a report. "Between 2022 and 2024, renewable diesel consumption almost doubled before collapsing in 2025 because of uncertainty around federal biofuel tax credits, feedstocks and producer eligibility," says Baatz. "The switch from a blender's to producer's tax credit, along with a lack of guidance from the Treasury and IRS, has caused widespread disruption to renewable diesel production." (kirk.maltais@wsj.com)

0341 ET - The 10-year German Bund yield soars to 2.963% in opening trade, the highest level since October 2023, according to LSEG, after the price of Brent crude oil earlier rose above $100 per barrel again. The geopolitical situation in the Middle East, with the Strait of Hormuz effectively closed, remains the key driver for markets. "Any hopes of a quick end to the war appear to be fading," Jefferies' Mohit Kumar says in a note. Iran has stepped up attacks on its Gulf countries and on oil ships and is seeking to maximize pain on the U.S. through oil prices, the global economist says. The release of Strategic reserves didn't have much impact on the market, he adds. The 10-year Bund yield is last 2 basis points higher at 2.951%. (emese.bartha@wsj.com)

0325 ET - The dollar rises as the growing Middle East conflict sends oil prices higher and encourages investors to seek safe-haven assets. The International Energy Agency on Wednesday confirmed a Wall Street Journal report that it would release 400 million barrels of oil from their emergency stocks, the largest ever. However, markets aren't convinced this will stabilize oil prices, Danske Bank analysts say in a note. The worry "seems to be both the immediate supply situation and the growing risk of a lasting impact as producers in the region continue to shut down production." Higher oil prices benefit the U.S. as net oil exporter and have reduced expectations for U.S. interest-rate cuts. The DXY dollar index rises 0.2% to 99.381. (renae.dyer@wsj.com)

1410 ET - A group called Farm Action, which describes itself as "a nonpartisan agricultural watchdog led by farmers," says that it has sent a letter to President Trump requesting him to act to put an end to skyrocketing fertilizer prices seen since the war with Iran began. The letter, dated for today, is also addressed to the Federal Trade Commission, the DoJ, the USDA, and the National Economic Council, calls for federal action in order to dissuade companies from price-gouging while the war affects fertilizer supply. The shutdown of the Strait of Hormuz is preventing cargo vessels from bringing shipments of fertilizer stateside. (kirk.maltais@wsj.com)

1238 ET - Senator Tim Scott (R-S.C.) said he hopes the investigation into Fed Chair Jerome Powell goes away so the Senate can move forward in nominating President Trump's new pick for chair, Kevin Warsh. "That proceeding going away allows for us to get the Fed fully functioning back on target," he told CNBC. Scott serves as the chairman of the Senate Banking Committee. (jessica.coacci@wsj.com; @jessica_coacci)

(END) Dow Jones Newswires

March 12, 2026 11:55 ET (15:55 GMT)

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