U.S. and Global Stocks On Defensive Amid Escalating Tensions In Middle East

Barry Adams
13 Jun, 2025
New York City

Wall Street indexes opened sharply lower and extended their decline amid a sharp escalation in tensions in the Middle East. 

The S&P 500 index decreased 0.9%, and the tech-heavy Nasdaq Composite fell 0.7% after Israel struck several cities deep into Iran. 

For the week, the broader indexes were on track to advance before Friday's sell-off, and the S&P 500 index edged up 0.6%, and the Nasdaq Composite inched higher 0.5%. 

Israel confirmed that its air attacks have struck several nuclear installations and military targets in Tehran, Natanz, Tabriz, and other locations. 

Iran confirmed that Israel's targeted strikes have killed at least three top commanders and several leading nuclear scientists.

Israel said it will continue the attacks until it has "neutralized" the nuclear threat, without giving details.

Crude oil prices shot up as much as 15% before subsiding to an increase of 5%, and gold edged higher 1%. 

The yield on 10-year U.S. Treasury notes edged lower as investors added exposure to bond investments and sought the safety of interest payments over the risk of volatile stocks.

 

Commodities, Currencies, Indexes, Yields

The S&P 500 index decreased 0.7% to 6,003.00, the Nasdaq Composite edged down 0.8% to 19,497.99, and the Russell 2000 index declined 1.2% to 2,114.99.

The yield on 2-year Treasury notes edged higher to 3.95%, 10-year Treasury notes increased to 4.39%, and 30-year Treasury bonds advanced to 4.88%.

WTI crude oil increased $5.40 to $73.42 a barrel, and natural gas prices edged higher by $0.05 to $3.54 a thermal unit.

Gold increased by $54.25 to 3,440.52 an ounce, and silver edged down by $0.07 to $36.27.

The dollar index, which weighs the US currency against a basket of foreign currencies, increased by 0.53 to 98.45 and traded at the lowest level since April 2022.

 

U.S. Stock Movers 

Defense stocks advanced after Israel conducted preemptive strikes on nuclear facilities in Iran. 

Lockheed Martin Corp. added 3% to $483.50, General Dynamics increased 2.2% to $282.03, and RTX Corp. added 3.5% to $146.0. 

Energy explorers advanced, following the surge in oil prices in New York, London, and Asia. 

Exxon Mobil increased 3.3% to $146.0, Chevron Corp. added 2.8% to $148.88, and ConocoPhillips advanced 4.5% to $99.0.