Energy Rises On Middle East Fears- US Market Wrap

Stocks struggled for direction ahead of US inflation data, with the latest geopolitical developments curbing the appetite for risk.

The S&P 500 was flat just a week after panic selling rattled global markets. With Wall Street still reeling from last Monday’s huge swings, many investors are avoiding significant wagers while they await additional signs about market direction and the health of the world’s largest economy. Oil hit $80 and bonds rose as the US believes an Iranian strike on Israel is more plausible.

The S&P 500 hovered around 5,345. Most major groups fell, though tech, energy and utilities gained. The CBOE Volatility Index, the VIX, was fairly stable around 20. That’s after an unprecedented spike last week.