In Breaking News today, U.S. stock markets fell sharply on Friday, June 14, 2025, after tensions between Israel and Iran increased. This led to a rise in oil prices and added more stress to an already uncertain global situation. Investors became nervous, and many sold their risky stocks, causing a big drop in the market.
Major Indexes Drop Sharply
The Dow Jones Industrial Average dropped 769.83 points, or 1.79%, and ended at 42,197.79. This was the biggest drop in several weeks.
- The S&P 500 also fell by 1.13% to 5,976.97.
- The Nasdaq Composite lost 1.30%, finishing the day at 19,406.83.
This market decline was heavily influenced by Breaking News from the Middle East. Investors feared that the fighting between Israel and Iran could hurt the global economy.
What Caused the Drop?
- On Thursday night, Israel launched airstrikes on Iran, increasing military tension.
- Israel’s Defense Minister Israel Katz declared a special state of emergency.
- Iran responded on Friday by launching missiles toward Israel.
- Iranian officials also said they would not attend the next round of nuclear talks with the U.S. this weekend.
This back-and-forth between the two countries made investors fearful that the conflict could grow and affect oil production and global peace.
Oil and Gold Prices Jump
As investors looked for safer assets, oil and gold prices went up fast:
- Brent crude oil and West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude oil each rose more than 7%.
- At one point, WTI oil almost hit $74 per barrel.
- Gold prices also rose to the highest level in two months, as people rushed to buy it for safety.
This could increase inflation soon, which is already a major concern for people around the world. Higher oil prices often make transportation and goods more expensive.
Defense and Energy Stocks Gain
While most stocks went down, some companies in oil and defense did well:
- ExxonMobil rose by 2%.
- Lockheed Martin and RTX jumped more than 3%.
These companies are seen as safe investments during wars and conflicts.
Trump Comments on the Situation
Former U.S. President Donald Trump reacted strongly to the conflict. In a post on his Truth Social platform, he told Iran to come to the negotiation table quickly:
“Iran must make a deal before there is nothing left,” he warned.
“No more death, no more destruction—just do it before it is too late.”
He added that he gave Iran a 60-day ultimatum two months ago to reach a deal. He said Friday was day 61, and Iran had failed to act.
Consumer Sentiment Rises Unexpectedly
In some Daily news highlights, there was a small positive sign. A new University of Michigan survey showed that consumer sentiment rose in June.
- The consumer confidence index hit 60.5, much higher than expected (54).
- This was a 15.9% increase from last month, showing that Americans feel a little better about the economy.
However, this small improvement was not enough to calm the markets.
Weekly Market Summary
The overall performance of the market this week was negative:
- The S&P 500 fell 0.4%.
- The Nasdaq went down 0.6%.
- The Dow Jones dropped 1.3% for the week.
Company Update: Sherwin-Williams Downgraded
In a separate update, Citi Bank downgraded Sherwin-Williams, a major paint company, from a “Buy” rating to “Neutral.” Analyst Patrick Cunningham said that the housing market is slowing, which could affect sales.
- He also lowered the price target from $405 to $385.
- Even with this downgrade, the stock has risen 5.7% this year and could still go up by 8%.
This Breaking News about the Israel-Iran conflict has caused a big shake-up in the stock market. Investors are worried about how this war could affect oil prices, inflation, and the global economy. As the situation develops, the markets are expected to stay unstable. Stay tuned for more Daily news highlights and updates.
