U.S. Stock Indices End Lower on Thursday as Nasdaq Slides 2%, Brent Oil Tops $100 Amid Iran Tensions

U.S. stock indices ended lower on Thursday as Middle East tensions and surging oil prices weighed on markets. The S&P 500 fell 1.2% to 7,408.30, the Nasdaq 100 slid 2% to 28,454.81, and the Dow Jones Industrial Average declined 1% to 51,711.65. Brent crude briefly topped $100 a barrel, with Treasury yields rising to their highest levels of the year as investors fretted over potential inflation and the Federal Reserve's interest-rate path.

Alphabet shares dropped 6.7% on concerns about its elevated capital expenditure plans for AI infrastructure. Tesla and AMD also faced pressure following earnings and strategic announcements. According to Axios, President Trump stated he is "considering a massive attack" against Iran, intensifying geopolitical risks that pushed crude prices and borrowing costs higher.