
The S&P 500 Index ($SPX) (SPY) Thursday closed down by -0.17%, the Dow Jones Industrials Index ($DOWI) (DIA) closed down by -0.44%, and the Nasdaq 100 Index ($IUXX) (QQQ) closed down by -0.05%.
Stocks fell moderately on Thursday, with the Dow Jones Industrials dropping to a 2-week low. The prospect of escalating conflict in the Middle East has dampened the appetite for risk assets and is weighing on stocks. Tensions mounted after Israeli warplanes attacked Beirut when eight Israeli soldiers were killed in southern Lebanon in battles against Hezbollah. The markets are awaiting Israel’s response to Tuesday’s missile barrage from Iran after Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu vowed to retaliate, saying Iran “made a big mistake” and “will pay.”