Asia And Europe Markets Mixed, Dollar Pressured Amid Middle East Tensions - Global Markets Today While US Slept

On Tuesday, June 17, U.S. markets closed lower as the Israel-Iran conflict entered its fifth day, heightening geopolitical tensions and prompting the U.S. to deploy more fighter jets to the region.

Volatility rose, with energy and defense stocks gaining on higher oil prices, while solar stocks plunged following proposed tax credit cuts. Investors remained cautious ahead of the Federal Reserve’s policy decision.

On the economic data front, May retail sales dropped 0.9%, deeper than April’s 0.1% decline and worse than expected. Industrial production slipped 0.2%, missing estimates, while import prices were unchanged and export prices fell 0.9%.

Most S&P 500 sectors ended in the red, led by health care, materials, and consumer discretionary. Energy was the lone bright spot. The Dow fell 0.70% to 42,215.80, the S&P 500 lost 0.84% to 5,982.72, and the Nasdaq ...