Stock Indexes Slide as Chip Shares Tumble and Oil Jumps on Strait of Hormuz Tensions
Missiles fired by Iran at commercial vessels in the Strait of Hormuz damaged a Qatari LNG carrier and a Saudi oil tanker, escalating concerns over regional energy flows. The U.S. Treasury subsequently revoked Iran's oil-sanctions waivers. WTI crude surged more than 5% in a single session to the highest level in about 1.5 weeks as markets priced in a sharper supply-risk premium. The flare-up lifted inflation expectations and pushed U.S. Treasury yields higher, weighing on technology valuations. The Nasdaq 100 fell 1.77% to a one-week low, while the S&P 500 declined 0.45%.