Stocks turn choppy as traders parse US and Israel’s Iran war signals

Global stocks exhibited choppy behavior on Friday as market participants scrutinized recent diplomatic and military signals from the United States and Israel concerning Iran. US futures remained relatively flat after a 0.3% decline on Thursday, reflecting a broader sense of unease across international exchanges. The focus remains on the potential for escalation in the Middle East, with traders weighing the risks of a direct military confrontation. Analysts note that the 'war signals' are currently the primary driver of market sentiment, overshadowing domestic economic data as the threat of regional instability looms.