Major stock indexes fell and oil prices climbed after Iran launched a barrage of missiles at Israel.
The S&P 500 was off around 0.8% in midday trading, a day after it closed at a record high. Treasury yields also fell. Yields fall as prices rise, and nervous investors often turn to ultra-safe U.S. government debt.
Growth was also in focus as a new quarter got under way, with readouts this morning on manufacturing and the jobs market. A closely watched gauge of manufacturing held roughly steady in September, and was slightly lower than analysts expected.
In recent trading:
Indexes fell. The S&P 500, Dow Jones Industrial Average and Nasdaq Composite all traded lower, with the Nasdaq down around 2%.
Crude oil rose. Brent crude, the international benchmark, was up around 2.5%.
Apple shares weighed on indexes. The iPhone maker was down around 3.3%.
Treasury yields fell. The benchmark 10-year yield dropped, after falling more than half a percentage point in July through September.
European government bonds rallied, after eurozone inflation fell below the central bank's target for the first time in more than three years.
Japanese stocks gained. The Nikkei 225 rose 1.9%, after selling off Monday. The yen weakened for a second day.
Markets in mainland China were closed for a holiday.
-By Anna Hirtenstein and Jack Pitcher
This item is part of a Wall Street Journal live coverage event. The full stream can be found by searching P/WSJL (WSJ Live Coverage).
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October 01, 2024 14:13 ET (18:13 GMT)
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