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Stock Futures Plunge as Israel Strikes Iran, Oil Prices Surge
U.S.stock futures plummeted early Friday following reports of an Israeli airstrike against Iran,escalating tensions in the Middle East and sending oil prices sharply higher. The Dow Jones Industrial Average futures fell by 593 points,a 1.38% drop, while S&P 500 futures decreased by approximately 1.55%, and Nasdaq 100 futures declined by 1.73%.
Market Reaction to Geopolitical Unrest
The market downturn occured after Israel’s defense minister, Israel Katz, declared a special state of emergency in response to the Israeli attack on Iran. According to NBC News, U.S. officials have stated that there was no U.S. involvement or assistance in the strike.
Did You Know? The VIX, frequently enough referred to as the “fear gauge,” typically rises during periods of geopolitical uncertainty, reflecting increased investor anxiety.