Wall Street Retreats Amid US-Iran Tensions, Economic Data; Dow Jones Dips 176 Points

• US equities traded lower on Thursday due to rising US-Iran tensions, corporate earnings, and shifting monetary expectations.
• The S&P 500 and Dow Jones Industrial Average slipped approximately 0.3%, while Nasdaq Composite fell 0.4%.
• Crude oil prices surged, with Brent crude past $71 and WTI near $66, fueled by fears of US military confrontation with Iran.
• Gold reclaimed above $5,000 an ounce as investors sought safety; US Treasury bonds faced their longest losing streak in a month.
• Fed minutes revealed a "deep divide" on rate cuts, while Walmart issued a cautious 2026 outlook and the US trade deficit widened significantly.