Inventory market information for March 2, 2026

The S&P 500 ended Monday simply above the the flatline, rebounding from sharp declines earlier within the day, as buyers purchased the dip following U.S. and Israel strikes on Iran over the weekend.

A couple of main elements fueled the comeback:

U.S. oil costs got here off their highest ranges of the session, easing considerations in regards to the battle’s impression on the U.S. economic system.Buyers purchased closely the tech leaders of the bull market like Nvidia and Microsoft, cash-rich firms that may very well be resilient to any battle impression.There’s historical past of equities largely shaking off previous geopolitical conflicts.

The S&P 500 inched up 0.04% and closed at 6,881.62. The broad market index minimize its losses after falling 1.2% at its lows. The Nasdaq Composite was increased by 0.36%, ending the session at 22,748.86. At one level, the tech-heavy index was down 1.6%. The Dow Jones Industrial Common fell 73.14 factors, or 0.15%, settling at 48,904.78. At its lows, the Dow was down practically 600 factors.

“Futures markets overreacted to the Iranian battle, creating a chance to purchase the S&P 500 because it neared its 2026 lows,” mentioned Jeff Kilburg, CEO of KKM Monetary, who posted Sunday night time that the market would flip inexperienced earlier than the shut Monday. “We stay in a bull market regardless of escalating geopolitical tensions.”

Nvidia shares gained practically 3%, and Microsoft was up by greater than 1%. Simply 4 of the 11 sectors within the S&P 500 have been optimistic on the day: power, industrials, tech and actual property.

The joint U.S.-Israeli strikes killed Supreme Chief Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, marking a watershed second for the Islamic Republic and one among its most consequential episodes since 1979.

President Donald Trump mentioned Monday that the navy operation in opposition to Iran “was our final, greatest probability to strike” to “eradicate the insupportable threats posed by this sick and sinister regime.” He additionally mentioned that he believes the U.S. will “simply prevail” within the nation and anticipates the battle will final 4 to 5 weeks, although he added it might go on “far longer than that.”

Iranian officers vowed a forceful retaliation in opposition to the strikes, elevating fears the battle might escalate additional throughout the area as blasts have been heard in locations akin to Dubai and Abu Dhabi.

U.S. crude costs gained as buyers fearful the confrontation might spiral right into a broader battle that disrupts provides. Iran is the fourth-largest oil producer in OPEC. Crude was up 12% at its excessive.

Although oil costs got here off their highs of the day, which helped sentiment, Brent crude futures have been nonetheless up practically 8% after an Iranian Revolutionary Guard commander mentioned the Strait of Hormuz — the world’s most vital chokepoint for crude flows — was closed.

A sustained interruption there might reverberate by world power markets and reignite inflation pressures.

“A protracted bottleneck there would current significant upside to grease costs as they sit proper now,” mentioned Ross Mayfield, Baird funding strategist. “A two-week shock to grease costs just isn’t going to have a serious impression on the U.S. shopper or how the Fed is considering rates of interest, however a multi-month step-up in degree would have an effect.”

On high of tech, an increase in protection shares helped the most important averages recoup a bit of their losses. Northrop Grumman superior 6%, whereas Lockheed Martin climbed greater than 3%. Power shares together with Exxon Mobil and Chevron noticed positive factors as effectively.

Merchants Monday may be getting forward of a well known historic sample the place shares dip initially however sometimes commerce increased within the weeks following geopolitical conflicts. Knowledge from Wells Fargo reveals the S&P 500 sometimes turns optimistic inside two weeks of a serious battle and is increased by 1%, on common, three months out.