Markets Rattled as Geopolitical Tensions Flare: S&P 500 and Nasdaq Slide on Iran Conflict

Opening Bell: A Sea of Red Amid Global UncertaintyThe U.S. stock market opened sharply lower on Monday, March 2nd, 2026, as investors reacted to a dramatic escalation of geopolitical tensions in the Middle East over the weekend. Major market indexes saw significant downward pressure immediately following the opening bell. The S&P 500 (SPY) fell approximately 1.18%, trading near the 6,798 level, while the tech-heavy Nasdaq Composite (QQQ) led the decline with a 1.46% drop. The Dow Jones Industrial Average (D ...