Geopolitical Tensions and Oil Surge Weigh on Wall Street; Tech and Defense Provide Afternoon Buffer

U.S. equity markets experienced a volatile session on Tuesday, March 3, 2026, as investors grappled with escalating geopolitical tensions in the Middle East and a sharp spike in energy prices. After a steep sell-off during the morning bell, major indexes showed signs of stabilization in afternoon trading, bolstered by a rotation into defensive sectors and a late-day recovery in high-growth technology names.Market Index PerformanceAs of mid-afternoon, the major market indexes are trading in a mixed fashion, ...