Geopolitical Tensions Spark Volatile Afternoon Trading as Energy and Defense Sectors Surge

The U.S. stock market experienced a volatile start to the week on Monday, March 2, 2026, as investors grappled with escalating geopolitical tensions in the Middle East. Following a weekend of significant military activity involving U.S. and Israeli strikes on Iranian targets, markets opened with sharp losses before finding a degree of stability in afternoon trading. The conflict has sent shockwaves through the commodities market, particularly oil and gold, while triggering a notable rotation within equity s ...