India, March 26 -- The financial markets around the world became volatile as new geopolitical tensions in the Middle East drove oil prices sharply up and burdened equities. The S&P 500 and the Nasdaq Composite fell 0.71% and 1.16%, respectively, in the face of investor apprehension while the Dow Jones Industrial Average declined slightly by 0.23% when investors began to feel the impact of rising energy prices, policy uncertainties and geopolitical risks. Further escalation and disruption of supply in the global energy markets became a cause of fear following the market reaction when Donald Trump threatened Iran to get serious on negotiations.

U.S. Market Snapshot

Dow Jones

The Dow was comparatively weak as investors sought refuge in de...