On Thursday, U.S. markets displayed mixed results. At close, the Dow Jones Industrial Average stood at 46 505 points, marking a slight drop of 0.1 % from the previous trading day. A few minutes earlier, the broader S&P 500 had risen about 0.1 % to roughly 6 583 points, while the technology‑focused Nasdaq 100 was up 0.1 % at around 24 046 points.
The ongoing Iran-Turkey tensions and the potential closure of the Strait of Hormuz continue to influence Wall Street. After former President Trump’s speech on an Iran conflict, U.S. shares opened with noticeable losses that were quickly pared back. Iran said on Thursday that it is working with Oman on a protocol for “monitoring shipping traffic” through the strait. A toll fee appears to be planned for vessels passing the strait both in peace and wartime. Meanwhile, representatives from about 40 countries met at the invitation of the British prime minister to discuss opening the strait; France had already rejected any violent break‑opening.
In currency markets, the euro weakened Thursday evening, trading at 1 € = $1.1538 and $1 = €0.8667.
Gold prices fell markedly, trading at $4 665 per troy ounce in the evening-down 2.0 % from the previous close-equivalent to €129.99 per gram.
Oil prices surged; a barrel of North Sea Brent was priced at $108.70 around 10 p.m. German time on Thursday, up 7.4 % from yesterday’s closing level.