The U.S. markets ended Thursday in decline, though not as sharply as in Europe. At the close in New York the Dow Industrial Average was at 46,021 points, down 0.4 percent; the broader S&P 500 finished at 6,606 points, down 0.3 percent; and the technology‑focused Nasdaq 100 closed at 24,355 points, also down 0.3 percent. Both the S&P and Nasdaq briefly moved into gains during the trading day.
One factor easing overseas sentiment was the easing of oil prices after a sharp rise earlier in the session. Brent crude, a North Sea grade, traded around 9 p.m. German time for $107.80 per barrel, only 37 cents – or 0.3 percent – above the previous day’s close. Investors remain focused on the Middle East conflict and the blockade of the Strait of Hormuz, and many are still uncertain about the conflict’s duration and potential fallout. Positive comments from Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who said that substantial parts of the war’s objectives had already been met, were welcomed.
On the currency front, the euro was notably stronger Thursday night: one euro bought $1.1586, up 1.13 percent, while one dollar traded for €0.8631. Gold fell sharply; by evening the price per fine ounce had dropped to $4,660, down 3.5 percent, which translates to roughly €129.30 per gram.
