Markets rally as missiles fly | how long can risk be ignored?

Markets may be underpricing Israel and Iran risk.

Despite continued fighting—including high-impact strikes and rising casualties—global equities moved higher to start the week.

U.S. indices led the advance, with the Nasdaq gaining 1.5%, followed by the S&P 500 and Dow. Earlier in the session, European and Asian markets also closed higher, with Germany’s DAX up 0.8% and Japan’s Nikkei rising 1.3%. Now Asian markets are set to open for the second trading day of the week.

Tensions escalated further on Monday as Israel launched drone strikes on Iran’s state-run IRINN television headquarters in Tehran, interrupting a live broadcast. Additional Israeli attacks hit the South Pars gas field. In retaliation, Iran launched a fresh wave of missile attacks into Israel, killing at least five people.