Stock Market Today, March 2: Energy and Defense Stocks Surge on Middle East Conflict

The S&P 500 (SNPINDEX:^GSPC) inched up 0.04% to 6,881.62, and the Nasdaq Composite (NASDAQINDEX:^IXIC) rose 0.36% to 22,748.86 as markets absorbed oil’s war-driven spike and then clawed back early losses. The Dow Jones Industrial Average (DJINDICES:^DJI) slipped 0.15% to 48,904.78 Market movers Energy and defense names outperformed, with Exxon Mobil (NYSE:XOM) rallying more than 5% intraday as crude jumped toward $80. Palantir Technologies (NASDAQ:PLTR) gained alongside other defense stocks. Cruise oper ...