Mixed Finish for Wall Street as Oil Prices Fall Amid Ongoing Trade Tensions

The US stock market had a mixed finish on Wall Street as oil prices fell for the first time in a week. The S&P 500 barely budged, rising 3.68 points or less than 0.1% to 7,411.98, while the Dow Jones Industrial Average rose 235.60 points or 0.5% to 51,947.25.

The Nasdaq fell 161.87 points or 0.6% to 24,975.82 due in part to sharp losses from Micron Technology and Broadcom, both of which have large market values that weigh heavily on the market.

Heavy fighting in the Middle East has threatened to slow the global flow of oil and gas, with Brent crude falling 3.9% to $96.78. The US is also ramping up its trade war with a fresh round of tariffs on dozens of nations, which could lead to hotter inflation.

The Federal Reserve meets next week and has been closely monitoring prices and their impact, with some predicting at least one rate hike by the end of the year.