U.S. stocks fell at the close of trading on Wednesday, with the market under pressure from ongoing geopolitical tensions and rising oil prices, as investors await earnings results from major technology companies after the closing bell.

Index

Index Value

Change (points)

Change (%)

52,218.58

(6.06)

(0.01 %)

25,690.90

(146.31)

(0.57 %)

7,498.96

(10.24)

(0.14 %)

25,155.41

144.06

0.58 %

8,437.89

74.75

0.89 %

10,716.97

131.07

1.24 %

24,892.66

(239.63)

(0.95 %)

66,115.60

(116.59)

(0.18 %)

76,755.05

(715.06)

(0.92 %)

At the end of trading, the Dow Jones Industrial Average settled at 52,218 points.

In contrast, the broader S&P 500 index fell 0.14%, or 10 points, to 7,498 points, and the Nasdaq Composite dropped 0.57%, or 146 points, to 25,690 points.

Across the Atlantic, the Stoxx Europe 600 gained 0.58% to 646 points, supported by positive performance from oil and gas companies.

The UK's FTSE 100 rose 1.24% to 10,716 points, Germany's DAX rose 0.58% to 25,155 points, and France's CAC 40 rose 0.89% to 8,437 points.

In Japan, the Nikkei 225 fell 0.18% to 66,115 points, while the broader Topix index rose 0.45% to 4,033 points.

Commodity

Price

Change (value)

Change (%)

95.20

4.09

4.47 %

86.83

2.49

2.94 %

4,151.90

75.50

1.85 %

On oil, benchmark Brent crude futures for September delivery jumped 3.36%, or $3.06, to $94.07 per barrel.

U.S. West Texas Intermediate crude futures for August delivery rose 2.95%, or $2.49, to $86.83 per barrel.

For gold, futures for August delivery rose 1.85%, or $75.50, to $4,151.90 per ounce.

What's behind the market moves? A sense of anticipation dominated Wall Street ahead of earnings from Alphabet and Tesla, while a surge in oil prices reinforced bets on monetary tightening, amid lingering doubts about the sustainability of investment momentum in AI infrastructure.