US stocks near record high amid Israel-Iran ceasefire
Share and Follow


Traders appear convinced that the ceasefire means few disruptions to the oil market, which would have raised prices and cut into profits.

NEW YORK — U.S. stocks are hanging near their all-time high on Wednesday as financial markets catch a breath following two big days bolstered by hopes that the Israel-Iran war will not disrupt the global flow of crude oil.

The S&P 500 was 0.2% higher in early trading and sitting just 0.7% below its all-time high. The Dow Jones Industrial Average was virtually unchanged, as of 9:35 a.m. Eastern time, and the Nasdaq composite was 0.6% higher.

In the oil market, which has been the center of much of this week’s action, crude prices stabilized after plunging by roughly $10 per barrel in the last two days. Benchmark U.S. crude rose 0.7% to $64.81 per barrel, though it still remains below where it was before the fighting between Israel and Iran broke out nearly two weeks ago.

A fragile ceasefire between the two countries appears to be holding, at least for the moment.

On Wall Street, companies involved in the cryptocurrency industry jumped to some of the bigger gains as the price of bitcoin continued to steam ahead with investors willing to take on more risk. Coinbase Global, the crypto exchange, rose 7%, and Robinhood Markets gained 4% as bitcoin topped $107,000.

They helped offset a 5.3% drop for FedEx. It reported stronger profit and revenue for the latest quarter than analysts expected, but it gave a forecast for profit in the current quarter that fell short of expectations.

General Mills, the company behind Pillsbury and Progresso soups, fell 2.8% after reporting weaker revenue for the latest quarter than analysts expected, though its profit topped forecasts. It also said an underlying measure of profits could fall by 10% to 15% this upcoming fiscal year.

In the bond market, Treasury yields were holding relatively steady, and the yield on the 10-year Treasury rose to 4.32% from 4.30% late Tuesday.

Yields had dropped a day before after the chair of the Federal Reserve said it is waiting for the right moment to resume cutting interest rates. By lowering rates, the Fed could help give the economy a boost, but it could also offer additional fuel for inflation.

Fed Chair Jerome Powell told a House of Representatives committee on Tuesday that he wants to wait and see how President Donald Trump’s tariffs affect the economy and inflation before committing to its next move. Powell will speak before a Senate committee later Wednesday morning.

In stock markets abroad, indexes fell modestly in Europe after rising across much of Asia.

Stocks jumped 1.2% in Hong Kong and 1% in Shanghai for two of the larger moves.

“The world can now move on to face other difficult choices like tariffs and things like that,” said Frances Lun, CEO of GEO Securities in Hong Kong. “So I think the market is well on its way to rebound and could again reach new levels.”

AP Business Writers Matt Ott and Elaine Kurtenbach contributed.

Copyright 2025 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.     

Share and Follow
You May Also Like

Chicago’s Little Village Incident: One Arrested for Assaulting Police Officer Near 26th and Whipple During Federal Engagement | LIVE Updates

In the heart of Chicago’s Little Village, tensions reached a boiling point…

Broadway Musicians Secure Preliminary Agreement, Preventing Potential Strike

In a significant development for Broadway, the musicians’ union and commercial producers…

Investigators Zero In on Men from Security Footage in Wyoming Capitol Bomb Probe

CHEYENNE, Wyo. (AP) — Authorities in Wyoming are actively working to identify…

Chick-fil-A Stabbing Incident on Route 34: Darryl Lee Jr. Faces Murder Charges in Oswego, Illinois

OSWEGO, Ill. – Authorities have charged a suspect in connection with two…

Tragic Triple Homicide Shakes Exclusive California Neighborhood: Adult Son Charged

A Newport Beach resident, aged 34, has been found guilty of the…

Louisiana Man Charged for Allegedly Supporting Hamas After Connection to Israel Attack

A key suspect tied to the October 2023 Hamas-led terror assault on…

California Mom Resurfaces Amid Urgent Search for Missing 9-Year-Old

The mother of the missing California girl, Melodee Buzzard, has made her…

Mother Takes the Stand in Emotional Trial Over Child’s Tragic Shooting Death

In Youngstown, Ohio, a tragic incident unfolded on October 22, 2023, transforming…