US Stocks Muted Amid Middle East Conflict, Oil Price Spike

• US stocks ended a choppy day little changed as traders assessed the impact of escalating Middle East conflict and rising oil prices.
• S&P 500, Nasdaq 100, and Dow Jones Industrial Average saw minimal change, with energy gains offsetting consumer discretionary declines.
• Experts warn investors are complacent about market risks, citing the Iran war alongside AI concerns and credit market stress.
• Cboe Volatility Index (fear gauge) climbed, reflecting increased implied volatilities across asset classes after US/Israeli strikes.
• JPMorgan and Morgan Stanley strategists suggest short-term risk-off but a buying opportunity for long-term investors, with oil at $100/barrel as a key threshold.