Geopolitical Conflict and Surging Oil Prices Trigger Market Sell-Off to Start March

The U.S. stock market entered the first trading day of March 2026 under significant duress as a dramatic escalation in Middle East geopolitical tensions sent shockwaves through global financial centers. Following a volatile finish to February, major indexes are facing a "sea of red" in Monday’s early session, driven by a combination of military conflict, surging energy costs, and lingering anxieties over the trajectory of artificial intelligence valuations.Premarket Activity and Index PerformancePremarket t ...