Oil Prices Plummet, Stocks Mixed Amid Escalating Iran Conflict

Stocks on Wall Street ended in a mixed finish Friday as oil prices fell for the first time in a week. The S&P 500 barely moved, rising just 3.68 points to 7,411.98, its second consecutive losing week since March. The Dow Jones Industrial Average gained 235.60 points to 51,947.25, while the Nasdaq fell 161.87 points to 24,975.82.

The decline in oil prices was driven by heavy fighting in the Middle East, which has threatened to slow the global flow of oil and gas. Brent crude, the international standard, dropped 3.9% to $96.78. Before the Iran war began in late February, it was trading around $72 per barrel.

Investors are concerned about the impact on energy prices and fresh tariffs imposed by the Trump administration, which could lead to hotter inflation. The Federal Reserve meets next week and has been closely monitoring prices and their impact on interest rate policy.