- As concerns over the weekend that the Middle East crisis might worsen, gold and crude oil sank along with Treasuries, while US market futures climbed. Chinese stocks were among the most impacted as market mood remained shaky as Asian stocks sank for a fourth straight day.
- As Israel delayed its ground incursion into Gaza in an effort to negotiate the release of more captives, oil dipped below $87 per barrel and gold dropped from a five-month high to roughly $1,970 an ounce. Following Friday's more than 1% decline in the S&P 500, US futures contracts increased in Asia. Treasury prices dropped, reducing Friday's rise. For a brief while, the yen fell below 150 to the dollar.
- Following the release of two US prisoners by Hamas and the beginning of relief shipments across Egypt's border with Gaza over the weekend, markets are beginning to unwind some of last week's haven bid. Israel has increased airstrikes on Gaza in anticipation of the "next phase" of its struggle with Hamas, but it has also issued a warning that Hezbollah runs the risk of entangling Lebanon in a larger regional conflict.
