Equities retreat globally after Middle East escalation and weak US session drag markets lower in early trade.
Global equities fell sharply in early trading, led by a 3% drop in Japan’s Nikkei, as rising Middle East tensions and a weak US lead weighed on investor sentiment. US futures also pointed lower, with S&P 500 contracts down 0.3% and Nasdaq futures off 0.6%.
The sell-off follows a volatile session in US markets on Thursday, where equities closed lower amid concerns over geopolitical risks and macroeconomic uncertainty. Asian markets mirrored the decline, with regional benchmarks extending losses as risk appetite waned.
No immediate market reaction data was provided, but the broader risk-off tone suggests caution among investors ahead of key economic releases.