Global Markets React to Escalating Middle East Conflict: A Roller-Coaster Week for S&P 500 and Dow Futures

S&P 500 futures and other U.S. stock futures slid as investor sentiment was impacted by an upsurge of violence in the Middle East, with Hamas attacking Israel. Concerns over a broader conflict and potential disruption of oil supplies from the region led to a risk-off mode in global markets. Traders sought havens such as gold, the U.S. dollar, and government bonds. While geopolitical risk may not have a long-lasting impact on markets, traders will soon shift their focus to monetary and corporate issues, including upcoming U.S. producer and consumer prices data, as well as the start of the third-quarter company earnings season.