New York/Hong Kong CNN —Oil prices surged and US stock futures fell on Sunday night in their first reaction to Israel’s war with Hamas. Although Israel is not a major oil producer, escalating tensions in the oil-rich Middle East spooked investors who have already been selling off oil in recent weeks. But on Sunday night, US oil prices surged 4% higher above $86 a barrel. In the equity markets, US stock futures, which surged Friday on a surprisingly strong American job market report, fell sharply Sunday night. Global investors fear prolonged tensions in the Middle East could hurt the fragile global economic recovery.

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Persons: Brent, Stephen Innes, ”, Israel, Australia’s Organizations: Hong Kong CNN, Management, Dow, Nasdaq, Shanghai Locations: New York, Hong Kong, Israel, East, Asia, China, Shenzhen, Japan, South Korea