Wall Street Opens Lower Amid Ongoing Israel-Iran Conflict, Oil Price Volatility

Wall Street's main indexes showed mixed performance amid ongoing Israel-Iran tensions and ahead of the Federal Reserve's upcoming monetary policy decision. On Monday, the indexes opened higher, supported by easing oil prices that provided some relief to investors concerned about inflation risks linked to Middle East conflict, with the Dow Jones, S&P 500, and Nasdaq all posting gains. However, on Tuesday, the indexes opened lower as the conflict persisted, dampening investor sentiment. The Fed is widely expected to keep interest rates unchanged in its upcoming meeting, with market participants closely watching Chair Jerome Powell's comments and updated economic projections for indications of potential rate cuts later this year. Despite the geopolitical risks, crude oil prices stabilized after earlier surges, as military strikes did not significantly disrupt oil production or export routes. Investors also noted mixed economic signals, with upcoming reports like the Empire State Manufacturing Index and Treasury auctions in focus amid the uncertain environment.