[New York Stock Exchange] Mixed Start as Investors Monitor Oil Prices and Treasury Yields

International Oil Prices Decline
Yields on 10- and 30-Year U.S. Treasury Bonds Fall

On the 18th (local time), all three major U.S. stock indices started the session mixed but are currently trading higher. Investors are closely monitoring international oil prices and U.S. Treasury yields as they await further developments in the Middle East conflict.

According to the Home Trading System (HTS), as of 9:50 a.m., the Dow Jones Industrial Average on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) is up 139.64 points (0.28%) from the previous trading day, standing at 49,665.82. The S&P 500 Index, which is focused on large-cap stocks, has risen 5.46 points (0.07%) to 7,413.96, while the tech-heavy Nasdaq Index is up 3.20 points (0.01%) at 26,228.34.

New York Stock Exchange. New York (USA) - Special Correspondent Yoonjoo Hwang

Last week, the yield on 30-year U.S. Treasury bonds surpassed 5% for the first time since 2007, leading to a decline in major indices. In addition, recently released key inflation indicators exceeded expectations, increasing speculation that the benchmark interest rate will be raised. As a result, the Nasdaq 100 Index posted its steepest drop since March 27, reflecting weakened investor sentiment.

Ed Yardeni, President of Yardeni Research, analyzed, "Although President Donald Trump demanded that newly appointed Federal Reserve Chair Kevin Warsh cut interest rates, financial markets expect rates to remain at elevated levels for an extended period," adding, "Macroeconomic conditions no longer justify rate cuts, especially a dovish monetary stance."

International oil prices are trending downward. This comes after Iranian media reported that the U.S. proposed a temporary waiver of sanctions against Iran as part of peace talks aimed at ending the war and reopening major energy transit routes.

According to Tasnim News Agency, the U.S. has not yet finalized whether it will offer a sanctions waiver that would remain effective until a final agreement is reached. Previously, President Trump expressed his dissatisfaction with Iran just hours after a drone attack on a nuclear power plant in the United Arab Emirates, warning that "there is not much time left."

At this time, June delivery West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude oil on the New York Mercantile Exchange is trading at $103.20 per barrel, down 2.06% from the previous session. July delivery Brent crude oil on the ICE Futures Exchange is trading at $107.71 per barrel, down 1.24% from the previous session.

The head of commodities and derivatives research at Bank of America (BofA) forecasts that, in the best-case scenario, Brent crude oil prices will average $90 for the remainder of the year. However, if the stalemate with Iran continues or escalates into new conflict, oil prices could rise even further.

Meanwhile, according to Investing.com, the yield on 10-year U.S. Treasury bonds is currently 4.586%, down 1.1 basis points (1bp = 0.01 percentage point) from the previous session. The yield on 30-year U.S. Treasury bonds is down 1.3 basis points to 5.115%.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.