Middle East Conflict Spurs Oil-Driven Market Volatility

Investors are watching how the Middle East conflict and fresh U.S. inflation data will affect markets next week, after a U.S.-Israeli campaign entered its seventh day on March 7, 2026. Brent crude jumped to over $90 a barrel from $70 before weekend strikes, pushing the S&P 500 down about 2% for the week and raising concerns that higher energy costs could sustain inflation.