S&P 500 Slips on Mounting Concerns About Costs of War; Oil Rises -- WSJ

By Chelsey Dulaney

The S&P 500 is retreating again, with signs of progress on Mideast diplomacy competing against worries about the mounting costs of the war.

Futures tied to Brent crude, the global crude benchmark, have floated up to about $110 a barrel. Treasury yields have stabilized after closing at their highest level in more than a year on Friday.

With the war in the Middle East now in its 80th day and little progress made so far on negotiations to end it, investors have been growing concerned that the disruption to energy markets poses a more serious threat to the global economy.

News reports offering signs of progress in the Middle East boosted shares and weighed on oil earlier in the session. But oil prices subsequently reversed a decline and the S&P 500 and Nasdaq composite are now back in the red.

On the corporate front, investors will be watching a slew of earnings this week, including results from Nvidia on Wednesday. They will also be looking out for SpaceX's initial-public-offering prospectus, which is expected to be filed in the coming days.

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(END) Dow Jones Newswires

May 18, 2026 12:35 ET (16:35 GMT)

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