TSX falls to three-month low amid Middle East escalation

The main stock index in Canada fell to a three-month low on Thursday as an escalation in the Middle East conflict rattled global markets and dampened risk appetite. The S&P/TSX composite index dropped 2.1% to 31,650.70, driven primarily by a sharp sell-off in the materials sector, which plunged more than 7% in its steepest single-day decline since late January.