Middle East markets react to the US strike on Iran. Tel Aviv stocks surge. Gulf markets mixed; oil prices volatile amid Strait of Hormuz concerns.
Markets across the Middle East showed varied responses following the United States' strike on key Iranian nuclear sites. The initial reaction saw some gains, but uncertainty remains as tensions escalate.
Stocks in Tel Aviv reached an all-time high, driven by speculation that U.S. involvement could expedite conflict resolution. The TA-125 index climbed by 1.77%, while the TA-35, Tel Aviv's blue-chip index, increased by 1.5%.
Gulf markets displayed a mixed performance. Saudi Arabia's Tadawul experienced an initial surge before closing down 0.3%. Qatar recorded a gain of 0.2%, and Bahrain's index rose by 0.3%.
Investors are closely watching the oil market, particularly the potential disruption of the Strait of Hormuz. Analysts predict a likely increase in oil prices due to the elevated geopolitical risk premium.