US stock futures opened lower on Monday as escalating Middle East tensions rattled global markets, with investors shifting focus to safe-haven assets. Futures linked to the Dow Jones Industrial Average fell 0.3%, while S&P 500 and Nasdaq 100 contracts declined 0.26% and 0.35% respectively, according to CNBC data.
Meanwhile, regional markets defied the trend as Israel's TA-35 index jumped 1.5% and Egypt's EGX30 surged 2.7% on Sunday. Analysts suggest traders are betting that recent US military actions targeting Iranian nuclear facilities could accelerate diplomatic resolutions to the Israel-Iran conflict, Bloomberg reported.
The market divergence highlights competing narratives: While Western investors brace for prolonged instability through oil price spikes and flight to safety, regional players appear positioned to capitalize on potential conflict resolution. This split underscores Asia's growing influence in shaping global economic responses to geopolitical crises.
