Global stocks fell for a second day on March 19th, as rising oil prices, driven by attacks on critical Middle Eastern energy infrastructure, fueled investor concerns that escalating conflict would further fuel inflationary pressures. The MSCI World Index dropped 0.6%, and the Asian benchmark index plunged 2.8% as investors cut their risk exposure. Japan's Nikkei 225 index plummeted over 3.5%, with traders also wary of the yen potentially breaking the 160 per dollar level. European Stoxx 50 futures fell nearly 2%, and US stock index futures also edged lower, following a 1.4% decline in both the S&P 500 and Nasdaq 100 on Wednesday.