▲ The New York Stock Exchange in the United States
The three major U.S. stock indices opened lower as geopolitical tensions persisted in the Middle East.
As of 9:48 a.m. local time on the 8th, the Dow Jones Industrial Average at the New York Stock Exchange was down 436.54 points, or 0.82%, at 52,977.71.
The S&P 500 index fell 28.88 points, or 0.37%, to 7,689.72, while the Nasdaq Composite index dropped 115.68 points, or 0.44%, to 26,391.31.
As tensions escalated in the Middle East, oil prices rose and risk-aversion sentiment heightened.
Over the weekend, the U.S. military struck three Iranian oil tankers in response to Iran's ballistic missile launches targeting two U.S. warships.
In retaliation, Iran attacked three oil tankers passing through unapproved routes in the Strait of Hormuz, along with three U.S.-linked vessels in other waters.
Iran also claimed to have attacked a U.S. aircraft carrier and a destroyer with multiple ballistic missiles.
The Iran-backed Houthi movement in Yemen also targeted Saudi Aramco energy facilities.
Describing the attack as a large-scale operation, the Houthi rebels added that they also targeted an air base in Khamis Mushait, southwestern Saudi Arabia.
Additionally, as the standoff between the U.S. and Iran continued, Israel launched airstrikes on southern Lebanon the previous day.
As a result, Brent crude surged to as high as $99.45 during the session.
This marks the highest level since July 24.
Meanwhile, the U.S. Consumer Price Index (CPI) for August is scheduled to be released this week.
Kyle Rodda, a senior financial market analyst at Capital.com, explained that rising oil prices are making the inflation outlook more uncertain.
He evaluated that military activities are increasing the potential for deeper and more prolonged disruptions to global crude oil supplies, thereby maintaining a significant risk premium in the energy market.
By sector, energy and utilities showed strength, while telecommunications and healthcare weakened.
Qualcomm shares rose 5.17%.
The gain was driven by Qualcomm's announcement that it is developing multi-generation custom silicon focused on inference with Amazon to support the building of AI infrastructure for Amazon Web Services (AWS).
Bloom Energy shares jumped 9.02% on news that it will be added to the S&P 500 index starting September 21.
Quantum computing company stocks showed strength after the U.S. announced an agreement to acquire minority stakes in several companies as part of $300 million in CHIPS Act support.
D-Wave Quantum and Quantinuum rose 8.81% and 2.97%, respectively, while Rigetti gained 7.70%.
European stock markets traded mostly higher.
The Euro Stoxx 50 index was trading up 0.05% at 6,407.28.
The UK's FTSE 100 index and France's CAC 40 index rose 0.20% and 0.06%, respectively.
Germany's DAX index fell 0.06%.
International oil prices rose.
At the same time, West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude for October 2026 delivery, the front-month contract, was trading up 2.13% at $93.43 per barrel.
(Photo: Getty Images)
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