The S&P 500 index ended nearly flat after a volatile trading session, as traders assessed the market implications of escalating Middle East conflicts. A surge in oil prices, which boosted energy stocks, helped the index recover from earlier losses. The S&P 500 erased its morning decline, with gains in the energy sector offsetting drops in consumer discretionary shares. Matt Maley, Chief Market Strategist at Miller Tabak + Co., noted that the market's flat close suggests investors are underestimating the risks posed by the Iranian conflict, particularly given existing pressures on equities from other recent headwinds. The CBOE Volatility Index, often referred to as the "fear gauge," moved higher. Mandy Xu, Head of Derivatives Market Intelligence at Cboe Global Markets, stated, "Following the U.S. and Israeli strikes on Iran over the weekend, implied volatility increased across various asset classes." U.S. President Donald Trump indicated that the administration anticipates the conflict could last four to five weeks, or longer. "However long it takes. Whatever it takes," he remarked. However, U.S. Secretary of Defense Pete Haghesis dismissed assertions that the war could become a protracted quagmire. Crude oil prices jumped as tanker traffic through the Strait of Hormuz nearly halted, making Marathon Petroleum one of the top performers in the S&P 500. U.S. manufacturing activity expanded in February, but the prices index soared to its highest level in nearly four years, stoking inflation concerns even before last weekend's attack on Iran. Investors are preparing for a week packed with economic data releases. Auto sales figures are due Tuesday, followed by mortgage application data on Wednesday, import price numbers on Thursday, and the crucial employment report on Friday. At the close, the S&P 500 was essentially unchanged at 6,881.62 points. The Dow Jones Industrial Average fell 0.2% to 48,904.78 points. The Nasdaq Composite Index rose 0.4% to 22,748.86 points. The Nasdaq 100 Index increased 0.1% to 24,992.6 points. The Russell 2000 Index advanced 0.9% to 2,655.944 points.