U.S. stocks edged lower as investors navigated a mix of rising oil prices, corporate earnings signals, and shifting expectations around Federal Reserve policy. The Dow, S&P 500, and Nasdaq all turned down after early gains, reflecting a market grappling with geopolitical tensions and inflation concerns. Indexes Pull Back All three major indexes slipped roughly between 0.3% and 0.6%, giving back some of the previous session’s momentum. The downturn followed renewed volatility in energy markets and cautious sentiment around consumer spending. Oil Prices Add Fresh Pressure Crude prices extended their sharp rally, driven by heightened worries over a potential U.S.–Iran conflict. Brent crude climbed above $71 per barrel, while West Texas Intermediate hovered near $66 — its biggest daily jump since October. Rising energy costs revived inflation concerns and weighed on equities. Walmart Earnings in Focus Walmart posted stronger‑than‑expected results, but its cautious pro...
Israel Insists on Right to Act Against Hezbollah in Any Deal to End Fighting
Amid ongoing conflict, Israel's Defense Minister has firmly stated that the country insists on retaining the right to act militarily against Hezbollah in any agreement to end the fighting in Lebanon. This stance is likely to be contested by Lebanon, potentially complicating peace efforts.
The conflict, which erupted into full-scale war in September 2023, has resulted in significant casualties and displacement on both sides. Lebanese officials have called for a return to United Nations Security Council Resolution 1701, which ended the 2006 war between the sides and called for Hezbollah militants and Israeli forces to withdraw from a buffer zone in southern Lebanon.
U.S. envoy Amos Hochstein, who has been working to broker a ceasefire, held a second round of talks with Lebanon's parliament speaker, Nabih Berri, an ally of Hezbollah. Hochstein mentioned that the talks had made "additional progress," and he plans to visit Israel to try to bring the conflict to a close.
The situation remains tense, with both sides showing little inclination to compromise, and the international community closely watching the developments.
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