Nasdaq jumps 1% as solid jobs data lifts spirts amid escalating Iran conflict

try{ var _=i o; . if(!_||_&&typeof _==="object"&&_.expiry Oil ticks up in seesaw trade as escalating Middle East conflict remains in focus Iran conflict latest: Hegseth says Iran conflict has "only just begun" Wolfe warns S&P 500 may drop to as low as 6500 before staging another rally Gold prices recover after hefty drop; dollar slips lower (South Africa Philippines Nigeria) Nasdaq jumps 1% as solid jobs data lifts spirts amid escalating Iran conflict By Author Anuron Mitra Stock Markets Published 03/03/2026, 08:02 PM Updated 03/04/2026, 01:06 PM Nasdaq jumps 1% as solid jobs data lifts spirts amid escalating Iran conflict 28 US500 0.85% DJI 0.56% YMH26 0.58% NQH26 1.63% IXIC 1.42% US500 0.86% Investing.com -- U.S. stocks rose on Wednesday after a solid reading on the labor market lifted sentiment that had been battered by the escalating conflict in the Middle East. Stock futures before the opening bell had earlier seesawed in choppy trade after reports that Iran could be suing for peace, potentially leading to an end of the conflict. Find out Wall Street’s best-positioned stocks for 2026 by upgrading to InvestingPro At 11:41 ET (16:41 GMT), the benchmark S&P 500 index was up 0.7% to 6,861.35 points, the tech-heavy NASDAQ Composite gained 1.1% to 22,771.12 points, and the blue-chip Dow Jones Industrial Average added 0.5% to 48,721.56 points. The major averages clocked deep losses on Tuesday as risk appetite remained frail. Growing caution before a host of key economic readings due this week also weighed. Iran reportedly suing for peace The Middle East conflict has entered its fifth consecutive day, with U.S. Admiral Brad Cooper, who leads U.S. forces in the Middle East, stating that Iran’s air defenses had been badly degraded, its navy had no operational vessels on key waterways after 17 were sunk, and that more than 2,000 Iranian targets had been hit. Additionally, Israel continued to target the pro-Iran Hezbollah group in neighboring Lebanon, after the militants f...