Stock Market Today: Live Updates Amid Middle East Conflict and Economic Signals
As of early Thursday, stock futures in the United States showed little change as investors closely monitored ongoing developments in the Middle East, specifically the conflict involving Iran. The S&P 500 and Nasdaq 100 futures hovered near the flatline, while Dow Jones Industrial Average futures declined slightly by 52 points, or 0.11%. This cautious trading follows a broadly positive session on Wednesday, where all three major U.S. indexes finished higher: the S&P 500 rose by 0.54%, the Nasdaq Composite climbed 0.77%, and the Dow surged 305.43 points (0.66%).
Key Developments in the Iran Conflict
The markets’ subdued movement reflects uncertainty amid news from Iran. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi reportedly informed state media that Tehran is reviewing an American proposal intended to end the ongoing war but emphasized that Iran has no intention of engaging in direct talks with the United States. Earlier reports from Iran’s state media indicated that Tehran would reject a U.S. ceasefire offer, instead presenting a five-point proposal that would Grant Iran control over the strategic Strait of Hormuz.
Energy Markets React with Slight Declines
Oil prices retreated modestly amid speculation that the conflict may be moving toward resolution. U.S. crude oil futures fell 2.2%, settling at $90.32 per barrel, while Brent crude dropped 2.17% to $102.22 per barrel. This decline followed recent spikes in oil prices driven by heightened geopolitical risk.
Expert Caution on Market Optimism
Despite a rebound in major indexes this week after last week’s market volatility fueled by Middle East tensions, some investment professionals advise caution. Kate Moore, Chief Investment Officer at Citi Wealth, expressed concerns on CNBC’s “Closing Bell: Overtime,” noting an overly optimistic market pricing in a swift resolution without considering potential ongoing inflationary pressures from energy shocks. Moore emphasized the importance of building resilient portfolios, prepared for inflation risks or prolonged conflict.
Asia-Pacific Markets React
Asia-Pacific equity markets showed mixed to negative performance on Thursday following Iran’s statements. Australia’s S&P/ASX 200 declined slightly by 0.1%, while Japan’s Nikkei 225 and Topix indexes saw minor dips. South Korea’s Kospi fell sharply by over 3%, and Hong Kong’s Hang Seng slid nearly 2%. These movements reflect regional investor caution amid geopolitical concerns. Earlier in the session, markets traded mixed as investors weighed Iran’s rejection of direct talks but ongoing review of diplomatic proposals.
Sector and Stock Highlights
On Wednesday, nine of the 11 Global Industry Classification Standard (GICS) sectors closed higher. The materials sector led gains with a 1.97% increase, followed by consumer discretionary stocks, up 1.18%. Conversely, the energy and real estate sectors lagged, slipping 0.53% and 0.04%, respectively.
In extended trading, some stocks experienced notable moves after their earnings reports. Worthington Steel shares plunged nearly 15% after reporting fiscal third-quarter adjusted earnings of 27 cents per share, down from 35 cents a year earlier. Furniture maker MillerKnoll also dropped sharply by 18%, posting adjusted earnings of 43 cents on revenue of $926.6 million.
Looking Ahead
Investors will be watching for upcoming U.S. economic data, including initial jobless claims for the week ending March 21, which is scheduled for release Thursday morning. This data may provide further insights into the health of the labor market amid ongoing geopolitical and inflation concerns.
Summary
The stock market continues to respond sensitively to developments in the Middle East, with investors hoping for a peaceful resolution to the Iran conflict while balancing economic signals and corporate earnings reports. Market participants appear cautiously optimistic but remain vigilant given the potential risks posed by prolonged geopolitical tensions and their impact on inflation and energy prices.
—
Reporting by Lisa Kailai Han and Lee Ying Shan; additional contributions from Kevin Breuninger.
© 2026 Versant Media, LLC. All Rights Reserved.