The US stock markets declined on Thursday. As trading concluded in New York, the Dow Jones index was calculated at 53,885 points, reflecting a decrease of 0.9 percent compared to the previous trading day. Just minutes earlier, the broader S&P 500 was down 0.2 percent at roughly 7,710 points, while the technology-focused Nasdaq 100 registered a loss of 0.4 percent, closing around 29,373 points.
In contrast, the price of oil rose sharply. At approximately 10 PM German time on Thursday evening, a barrel of Brent crude from the North Sea cost $82.69, an increase of 4.1 percent over the close of the previous day. This surge was driven by an agreement between Iran and Oman regarding a new transit route through the Strait of Hormuz. This arrangement could grant Tehran enhanced, permanent control over the waterway and potentially allow it to levy fees. Meanwhile, the Iranian Foreign Ministry criticized the US, claiming that the Biden administration was hindering the process.
Concerns over oil stabilized, while global currencies saw movements. The European common currency weakened on Thursday evening; one Euro cost $1.1523, meaning a dollar was available for 0.8678 Euros. As for gold, the price remained largely unchanged, trading at $4,247 for a fine ounce in the evening, corresponding to 118.48 Euros per gram.
