Stocks Open Steady Amid Geopolitical Tensions, Crypto Rebounds

The stock market kicked off the week on a cautious note, with the Dow Jones Industrial Average barely budging as oil prices stayed quiet despite the looming threat of a Middle East conflict flare-up.

Over the weekend, cryptocurrencies took a hit as risk assets were sold off, but stocks seemed to shake off the initial shock from the U.S. strikes on Iran's nuclear sites. The Dow Jones opened up 15 points, and the S&P 500 crept up by 0.14%.

The Nasdaq Composite also edged up by 0.18% as investors breathed a sigh of relief that the U.S. wasn't looking to ramp up tensions with Iran.

U.S. Enters Iran-Israel Conflict

Last week, stocks saw a slight uptick after President Trump gave Tehran a two-week ultimatum to negotiate a nuclear deal. But the U.S. went ahead and struck Iran's nuclear sites over the weekend, catching investors off guard while the markets were closed.

On Saturday, the U.S. launched surprise attacks on Iran's nuclear sites in Fordow, Isfahan, and Natanz, sending shockwaves through the investment community.

"We have completed our very successful attack on the three Nuclear sites in Iran, including Fordow, Natanz, and Esfahan. All planes are now outside of Iran air space. A full payload of BOMBS was dropped on the primary site, Fordow," Trump declared on Truth Social.

Crypto markets crashed with Bitcoin (BTC) plummeting to lows of $98,300. Oil prices spiked briefly as investors feared an imminent blockade of the Strait of Hormuz. But with no blockade by Monday's market open, the immediate fear of a swift Iranian retaliation didn't materialize. The market remains on edge, with reports hinting that Iran's counterattacks on U.S. forces could happen within a "day or two."

Bitcoin has bounced back above $101,000, while oil prices have retreated to around $74 a barrel. Meanwhile, gold has dipped as the rush to safe havens cooled off.