S&P 500, Nasdaq Slip as Oil Jumps on Iran Tensions

U.S. stocks ended Monday slightly lower as renewed uncertainty over the Middle East conflict pushed oil prices higher and weighed on technology shares. The S&P 500 and Nasdaq Composite declined as investors grew less confident that an agreement to reopen the Strait of Hormuz would be reached soon.

The S&P 500 fell 0.06% to close at 7,753.12, retreating from Friday’s record-high finish. The Nasdaq Composite dropped 0.32% to 26,605.36, while the Dow Jones Industrial Average slipped 0.11% to 53,976.04.

Investor sentiment weakened amid continued tensions between the United States and Iran. President Donald Trump called on Iran to provide compensation for people he said were killed in wars, attacks and protests. Iran, meanwhile, has demanded compensation for damage caused since U.S. and Israeli strikes on its territory began more than five months ago.

Concerns over the Strait of Hormuz, a critical route for global energy supplies, helped send U.S. crude oil prices about 5% higher to $82.13 per barrel. Persistently elevated oil prices have fueled inflation concerns and increased uncertainty over the outlook for global interest rates.

Chipmakers also pressured Wall Street. Intel shares sank 4.1% after the semiconductor company announced plans to raise $15 billion through a share sale. Nvidia declined 2.9% as investors assessed reports that financial firms, including Apollo Global and Blackstone, are working with Nvidia on a potential $500 billion AI infrastructure funding package.

Despite Monday’s weakness, corporate earnings remain supportive. Around 85% of the 436 S&P 500 companies that have reported quarterly results have exceeded analysts’ estimates, according to LSEG data. Applied Materials and Cisco are among the major companies scheduled to report next.

Investors are also watching upcoming U.S. economic data for signals about Federal Reserve monetary policy. Friday’s employment report showed the U.S. economy unexpectedly lost 23,000 jobs in July, influencing expectations for the Fed’s September interest-rate decision.

Market breadth was negative Monday, with declining stocks outnumbering advancing shares on both the New York Stock Exchange and Nasdaq as geopolitical uncertainty, higher oil prices and weakness in semiconductor stocks tempered Wall Street’s recent record-setting momentum.