Stocks Slide as Middle East Tensions and Inflation Fears Mount

Stocks ended mixed Friday as escalating Middle East conflict and weakening consumer sentiment drove investors to safe havens like gold and Treasuries. The Dow eked out a gain while the Nasdaq and S&P 500 fell.

JPMorgan, Citi, and UnitedHealth beat earnings estimates but shares of Boeing and Walgreens dropped on disappointing results.

The VIX "fear index" jumped the most in a day since March as Israel prepared a Gaza ground invasion. Gold prices also climbed over 3%.

Oil futures surged 4% as U.S. imposed first sanctions on companies violating the Russian oil price cap.

Consumer sentiment declined more than expected in October as high inflation continued weighing on consumers. Expectations for future inflation rose.