Middle East tensions continue in global markets

As geopolitical tensions continue to linger in global markets, market players are watching gold, crude oil and Treasury bonds fall. While gold and crude oil fell along with Treasury bonds, U.S. stock futures rose as concerns about escalating conflict in the Middle East eased over the weekend. Asian stock markets fell for a fourth day and investor confidence remained fragile, with China among the worst hit. Oil fell below $87 a barrel, while gold fell from a five-month high to $1,970 an ounce as Israel postponed its ground offensive on Gaza. U.S. futures rose in Asia after the S&P 500 lost more than 1 percent on Friday. Treasury bonds fell, overshadowing Friday’s gains. The yen briefly exceeded 150 against the dollar. Chinese stocks dragged Asian stock markets deeper into the red. The real estate sector's woes continued after Beijing launched a series of investigations into Foxconn Technology Group, Apple Inc.'s top partner and one of the country's biggest employers.