Wall Street opened the week in an oddly good mood, as if the market decided that worrying about everything, all at once, was bad for performance. Stocks climbed on Monday while oil prices eased, even as President Trump publicly prodded U.S. allies to “get involved, and quickly” in the Iran conflict, a reminder that geopolitics still writes the subtext for every trading day.

Indexes and the day’s tone

The major U.S. averages started the session firmly in the green, with the tech‑heavy Nasdaq leading gains around 1.22% as investors tiptoed back into growth stories after last week’s turbulence. The Dow and S&P 500 followed suit with more advances of roughly 0.83% and about 1.01%, respectively, suggesting a broad—if cautious—buying appetite rather than a narrow, AI‑only melt‑up. The backdrop was a familiar mix: hopes that the Federal Reserve will keep policy steady this week, and a nagging awareness that a single headline from the Strait of Hormuz can still turn a relief rally into a risk‑off rout before the closing bell.

Oil steps off its soapbox

Crude oil, the market’s self‑appointed main character in recent weeks, took a step back as prices slipped from their recent war‑premium highs to the $93/bbl area of around 55. Traders treated the dip as a tentative sign that the worst of the supply shock fears may be fading, at least for the moment, even as shipping through the Strait of Hormuz remains disrupted and the Iran war narrative is very much ongoing. Trump’s latest public warnings to allies, urging faster engagement, kept the geopolitical temperature elevated, but Monday’s price action suggested that energy markets may finally be moving from panic to price‑discovery.

Rates, the Fed, and macro cross‑currents

Lower oil gave bonds a modest tailwind, with Treasury yields slipping as investors recalibrated the inflation scare they had rapidly repriced in over the last several weeks of conflict headlines and triple‑digit crude. The 10‑year yield eased as the session got underway, while shorter‑dated yields also ticked lower, a move that looks less like a sudden burst of dovish optimism and more like a market quietly hedging into Wednesday’s Fed decision. Derivatives markets have already dialed back expectations for any meaningful easing cycle this year as energy and food costs threaten to bleed back into the data, a dynamic that keeps the Fed in a “talk softly, carry high rates” posture.

Risk appetite and side‑shows

Beyond the benchmark indexes, risk appetite showed up in familiar places: tech and AI‑linked names were in focus ahead of Nvidia’s high‑profile GTC event (GTC 2026) in San Jose, CA, where Wall Street is once again expecting silicon to solve problems that fiscal policy and diplomacy cannot. In digital assets, Bitcoin’s recent resilience above the 70,000 mark has some macro investors treating it less like a crisis hedge and more like a high‑beta satellite in diversified portfolios, a subtle but telling shift in how risk is being priced across the spectrum. For now, at least, the market seems comfortable living with contradictory narratives: a war that isn’t over, an oil shock that might be, and a Fed that is supposedly “data‑dependent” in a world where the data keep changing faster than the guidance.

VP Watchlist Updates

Below is an update‑style snapshot on the VP Watchlist names for the week, focused on recent catalysts, positioning, and narrative rather than precise price moves.

Eupraxia Pharmaceuticals (EPRX, $7.39, +.41%)

Eupraxia Pharmaceuticals Inc. (“Eupraxia” or the “Company”), a clinical-stage biotechnology company leveraging its proprietary Diffusphere™ technology designed to optimize local, controlled drug delivery for applications with significant unmet need, announced (March 12) its financial results for the fourth quarter of 2025. “2025 was a pivotal year for Eupraxia. We achieved significant clinical milestones in the development of our lead program, EP-104GI, and strengthened our balance sheet with two recent financings, positioning us well for our next phase of growth” said James Helliwell, CEO of Eupraxia. “As we look ahead to an exciting year, we anticipate multiple clinical readouts from the ongoing RESOLVE trial and the initiation of additional clinical programs in new indications to further expand and strengthen our pipeline”

Here are a few quick highlights: On November 13, 2025, the Company announced additional 52-week follow-up data from the RESOLVE trial in eosinophilic esophagitis (“EoE”) demonstrating consistent results after dosing with EP-104GI. On January 8, 2026, the Company announced positive tissue health data from its ongoing RESOLVE trial in EoE demonstrating near-complete improvement on biopsy. On February 20, 2026, the Company announced the closing of a public offering of Common Shares (the “Offering”). The Company issued 7,607,145 Common Shares at a price of $7.00 per Common Share for gross proceeds of approximately $63.2 million which included the issuance of 1,178,571 Common Shares upon full exercise of the option to purchase additional shares granted to the underwriters, and 1,428,571 Pre-Funded Warrants at a price of $6.99999 per Pre-Funded Warrant.

Modular Medical (MODD $.2310, +2.94%)

• Modular Medical recently priced a public offering of 68,098,000 shares of common stock (or pre-funded warrants) alongside warrants to buy an equivalent number of shares, targeting gross proceeds of about 12 million dollars before fees. The combined public offering price of roughly 17.62 cents per share and accompanying warrant comes at a premium to the prevailing market, a rare feat in a sector where financings often resemble clearance sales rather than premium shelf space.
• Earlier this month, the company began production of validation lots for its disposable cartridge and infusion set, keeping it on track for a planned commercial launch in the first quarter of 2026, contingent on FDA 510(k) clearance—an event path that positions upcoming regulatory decisions as key stock catalysts.

FIGS, Inc. (FIGS, $14.90, +.34%)

• FIGS, the direct‑to‑consumer healthcare apparel brand, operates at the intersection of e‑commerce and specialty retail, with a loyal professional customer base and a growing product portfolio. While macro headwinds and digital‑ad volatility have pressured some consumer names, FIGS’ brand equity in the medical community and ongoing product innovation offer levers for renewed growth as conditions normalize.
• After the close (Feb. 26), FIGS released its fourth quarter and full year 2025 financial results and published a financial highlights presentation on its investor relations highlighting the following: Exceeded Top and Bottom Line Expectations, Grew Q4 2025 Net Revenues 33.0% to a Record $201.9 Million, Achieved Q4 2025 Net Income Margin of 9.2% and Adjusted EBITDA Margin of 13.2% & Plans Low Double-Digit Net Revenues Growth and Margin Expansion in FY 2026. FIGS shares have traded up to $13.74 in the aftermarket today.

GeoVax Labs (GOVX, $1.71)

• GeoVax announced (Feb. 24) the formation of its Oncology Advisory Board with the appointment of three internationally recognized leaders in immuno-oncology, translational medicine, and clinical development. This Advisory Board will play a central role in guiding the scientific, translational, and clinical advancement of GeoVax’s oncology program, focused primarily on Gedeptin(R), the company’s gene-directed enzyme prodrug therapeutic (GDEPT). GeoVax plans to conduct a Phase 2 trial with Gedeptin in the neoadjuvant setting, pairing it with an immune checkpoint inhibitor (ICI) in locally advanced head and neck squamous cell carcinoma. In parallel, it will be evaluating combination Gedeptin + ICI strategies across additional solid tumor indications.
• GeoVax announced on Wednesday, Feb. 18 that it has entered into an exclusive worldwide license agreement with Emory University for intellectual property covering the use of Gedeptin(R) in combination with immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs).
• On February 17, GOVX issued a statement endorsing the urgent call to action articulated by Rosamund Lewis, MD (WHO Head, Poxviruses Programme) and colleagues in their recently published PLOS Medicine article, “The mpox epidemic is not over: Reducing disproportionate burden in Africa and persistent global risk require a sustained response.” (https://journals.plos.org/plosmedicine/article/file?id=10.1371/journal.pmed.1004893&type=printable)
• Shares can gap sharply on any trial or regulatory update, positive or negative.

DoubleVerify (DV, $10.15)

• DoubleVerify, the leading software platform for digital media measurement, data and analytics, announced recently the financial results for the fourth quarter and full year ended December 31, 2025 and highlighted the following: Increased 2025 Revenue by 14% Year-over-Year to $748.3 Million, Driven by Global Growth in Social, CTV Measurement, and Programmatic Activation, Achieved 2025 Net Income of $50.7 Million and Adjusted EBITDA of $245.6 Million, representing a 33% Adjusted EBITDA margin, & $300 Million Authorized for Share Repurchases, the Largest Amount in DoubleVerify’s History.

The InterGroup Corporation (INTG, $38.23, +4.74%)

• InterGroup Corporation delivered (Feb. 17) a notably stronger quarter, highlighted by a 20% jump in total revenue to $17.3 million and a 27% surge in hotel revenue as renovated rooms returned to service and travel demand improved. The company swung from a prior-year net loss to $1.0 million in net income, with operating income more than doubling to $2.0 million, underscoring better cost control and improved operating efficiency. Management further enhanced liquidity and sharpened strategic focus by selling a non-core 12‑unit Los Angeles multifamily property, generating a meaningful gain and additional working capital while maintaining stable performance across its real estate portfolio.

Serina Therapeutics (SER, $1.46)

• Serina Therapeutics, a clinical-stage biotechnology company advancing drug candidates enabled by its proprietary POZ Platform™ drug optimization technology, announced (Feb. 19) that the first patient has been enrolled in the Company’s Phase 1b registrational trial evaluating. The Phase 1b registrational study is designed to evaluate the safety, tolerability, pharmacokinetics, and preliminary efficacy of SER-252 in patients with advanced Parkinson’s disease whose symptoms are inadequately controlled by current standard-of-care therapies. Serina remains on track to initiate dosing during the current quarter, consistent with previously disclosed guidance.

Volato Group, Inc. (SOAR) & M2i Global, Inc. (MTWO)

• Volato Group, Inc. today announced that it has entered into an amendment to its Aircraft Management Services Agreement with flyExclusive, Inc. (“FLYX”) providing for the sale of certain legacy intellectual property assets. The agreement provides for consideration valued at approximately $1.3 million, payable in FLYX Class A common stock, subject to customary conditions. The assets relate to legacy intellectual property developed during earlier stages of the Company’s technology initiatives and are not part of Volato’s current operating platforms. Volato continues to evaluate opportunities to streamline its asset base and focus resources on strategic priorities, including the continued development of its core software platforms and the pending business combination with M2i Global, Inc.
• Volato and M2i Global reaffirmed their goal of closing their business combination in the first quarter of 2026, citing steady advancement through SEC review and integration planning as they move toward a combined listing. The deal, originally announced in 2025, will effectively transition Volato from a pure‑play private aviation operator into a diversified platform spanning aviation technology and critical minerals, with M2i shareholders expected to own the majority of the combined entity. Operationally, the partnership is already visible: the two companies recently initiated their first shipment of titanium ore from Western Australia to the United States from Titanium X, underscoring how the critical‑minerals vertical could become a meaningful growth engine as domestic supply‑chain security rises in strategic importance.
• On Feb. 4, M2i Global,Inc.along with Volato Group, Inc. announced that Titanium X has initiated its first shipment of titanium ore from Western Australia to the U.S. under its collaboration agreement.

NVIDIA (NVDA, $183.22, +1.65%) (NOK, $8.65, +4.98%)

• In an AI market obsessed with GPUs and stardust, Nokia (NOK) is quietly reminding investors that none of this magic moves without serious plumbing. While Nvidia (NVDA) prepares to headline its GTC 2026 “Woodstock of AI” showcase, the chip giant has already written a very real check to Nokia, committing a $1 billion investment to help rewire the world’s networks for 5G‑Advanced, 6G, and AI‑native workloads. The message is simple enough: GPUs may be the new rock stars, but networking is the stadium.
• Nvidia delivered strong fourth-quarter results recently, posting revenue of $68.1 billion, well above analyst expectations. Looking ahead, the company projects $7.8 billion in revenue for the first quarter of 2026, reflecting continued robust demand for its AI chips even amid broader market headwinds.
• NVIDIA and Nebius Group N.V. (NASDAQ: NBIS) (March 11) announced a strategic partnership to develop and deploy the next generation of hyperscale cloud for the AI market, from AI natives to enterprises. NVIDIA will invest $2 billion in Nebius.

McDonald’s (MCD, $326.65)

• In the run-up to World Protein Day on 27th February, McDonald’s India (West & South), owned and operated by Westlife Foodworld, is celebrating Protein Week, reinforcing its leadership in nutrition-led innovation. Making protein more accessible, affordable and customizable, Indian consumers can use the McDonald’s app to explore these nutritious offerings and avail of protein burgers starting at just INR 69. Enhancing this convenience, consumers ordering via McDelivery can also enjoy free delivery on the Protein Plus meal range.

Opendoor (OPEN, $5.18, +4.65%)

• Opendoor Technologies, a leading e-commerce platform for residential real estate transactions, reported financial results for its fourth quarter and year ended December 31, 2025. They highlighted the following: October 2025 acquisition cohort tracking as best-performing October in Company history; acquisitions increased 46% quarter-over-quarter while inventory days in possession reduced 23%.
• Opendoor continues to navigate a challenging housing backdrop characterized by still‑elevated mortgage rates and tight existing‑home inventories, which weigh on transaction volumes even as affordability slowly improves. The company’s focus on disciplined acquisition spreads, inventory turns, and ancillary services remains central to the investment debate as markets handicap the pace and magnitude of any 2026 housing recovery.

The Sources

Here’s a clean, numbered list of key sources with links you can reference for today’s piece:

1. Reuters – “Trump demands other countries help secure vital Strait of Hormuz as Iran vows defiance”
   https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/trump-calls-allies-help-secure-strait-hormuz-iran-vows-step-up-retaliation-2026-03-15/[reuters]​
2. Yahoo Finance – “Stock market today: Dow, S&P 500, Nasdaq futures falter, oil slides as Wall Street weighs Iran war signals”
   https://finance.yahoo.com/news/live/stock-market-today-dow-sp-500-nasdaq-futures-falter-oil-slides-as-wall-street-weighs-iran-war-signals-202450040.html[finance.yahoo]​
3. Yahoo Finance – “Dow, S&P 500 end lower, oil slides as Wall Street weighs Iran war signals”
   https://finance.yahoo.com/news/live/stock-market-today-dow-sp-500-end-lower-oil-slides-as-wall-street-weighs-iran-war-signals-200450413.html[finance.yahoo]​
4. Yahoo Finance – “Oil Slides as Global Leaders Seen Acting to Blunt Supply Shock”
   https://finance.yahoo.com/news/oil-slides-trump-seeks-ease-233049150.html[finance.yahoo]​
5. Yahoo Finance (video) – “Oil Falls After Trump Says War Will End ‘Very Soon’”
   https://finance.yahoo.com/video/oil-falls-trump-says-war-072055488.html[finance.yahoo]​
6. U.S. News – “US Officials Predict Quick End to Iran War, While Tehran Says It Can Fight On”
   https://www.usnews.com/news/world/articles/2026-03-15/trump-warns-of-more-strikes-on-irans-kharg-island-pressures-allies-to-secure-oil-routes[usnews]​
7. AP News – “Trump says he’s asked ‘about 7’ countries to join coalition to police Iran’s Strait of Hormuz”
   https://apnews.com/article/iran-iraq-us-trump-march-15-2026-9bbed3c906146844be08fdfd02595754[apnews]​
8. The New York Times – “Iran War Live Updates: Israel Expands Lebanon Offensive; Trump’s Oil, NATO Warnings”
   https://www.nytimes.com/live/2026/03/16/world/iran-war-trump-oil-lebanon[nytimes]​
9. CNBC – “Treasury yields move higher amid rising oil and labor costs”
   https://www.cnbc.com/2026/03/05/us-treasury-yields-investors-fears-around-us-iran-war.html[cnbc]​
10. CNBC – “10-year Treasury yield falls as oil reverses spike”
    https://www.cnbc.com/2026/03/09/us-treasury-yields-investors-monitor-iran-war-and-soaring-oil-price.html[cnbc]​
11. CNBC – “Treasury yields: investors weigh escalating U.S.-Iran war”
    https://www.cnbc.com/2026/03/03/treasury-yields-investors-weigh-escalating-us-iran-war.html[cnbc]​
12. Yahoo Finance – “Trump admin weighs options to lower oil prices amid Iran conflict” (video)
    https://finance.yahoo.com/video/trump-admin-weighs-options-lower-194302837.html[finance.yahoo]​
13. Firstonline – “Stock Market Today, March 16: Europe recovers, following Wall Street; oil slows”
    https://www.firstonline.info/en/stock-market-today-March-16-Europe-recovers-in-the-wake-of-Wall-Street-oil-slows/[firstonline]​