Markets Find Equilibrium as Oil Prices Recede

The Dow Jones Industrial Average climbed 235.60 points, or 0.46%, to close at 51947.25, while the S&P 500 edged up 0.05% to 7411.98. Conversely, the Nasdaq Composite slipped 0.64% to 24975.82 as investors recalibrated their positions. On the NYSE, advancing issues led decliners 1639 to 1052.

Brent crude dropped approximately 3.9% to $96.78 a barrel, cooling off after a sharp climb past the century mark on Thursday. This decline eased the upward pressure on bond yields that had previously spiked on renewed inflation concerns tied to energy costs. Market participants also moved to lock in gains from earlier in the week, even as President Trump signaled to Axios that he remains prepared to consider significant military action against Iran.