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Wall Street closed lower on Tuesday, pulled down by a broad-based slump. Investors remained concerned about further escalation in the Iran-Israel conflict as the United States moved fighter jets to the Middle East. All three benchmark indexes closed the session in the red.
How Did the Benchmarks Perform?
The Dow Jones Industrial Average (DJI) slid 0.7%, or 299.3 points, to close at 42,215.80. Twenty-six components of the 30-stock index ended in negative territory, while four ended in positive.
The tech-heavy Nasdaq Composite lost 180.1 points, or 0.9%, to close at 19,521.09.
The S&P 500 fell 50.39 points, or 0.8%, to close at 5,982.72. Eight of the 11 broad sectors of the benchmark index closed in the green. The Consumer Discretionary Select Sector SPDR (XLY), the Health Care Select Sector SPDR (XLV) and the Materials Select Sector SPDR (XLF) declined 1.7%, 1.7% and 1%, respectively, while the Energy Select Sector SPDR (XLE) advanced 0.9%.
The fear-gauge CBOE Volatility Index (VIX) increased 13% to 21.60. A total of 15.7 billion shares were traded on Tuesday, lower than the last 20-session average of 18 billion. Decliners outnumbered advancers by a 2.07-to-1 ratio on the NYSE and by a 2.36-to-1 ratio on the Nasdaq.
Conflict in the Middle East Escalates Further
Wall Street saw a broad-based decline on Tuesday, June 17, as escalating tensions between Israel and Iran rattled investor confidence and sparked a classic flight to safety. President Trump issued a stark warning to Iran, demanding its “unconditional surrender.” Speaking aboard Air Force One after leaving the G7 summit, he declared that Iran must give up entirely on nuclear weapons, stating emphatically, “Iran cannot have a nuclear weapon, it's very simple.” He urged Tehran to “make a deal now,” insisting the window for diplomacy had closed and warning of “even more destructive and deadly military action” if Iran failed to comply.
The United States deployed F???16, F???22 and F???35 aircraft to the region. However, these deployments were described as defensive measures intended to intercept incoming drones and projectiles and to strengthen protection for American forces and interests amid the Israel???Iran escalations.
The renewed geopolitical conflict sent oil prices soaring more than 4%, with West Texas Intermediate crude nearing $76/barrel and Brent crude approaching $77. Investors grew increasingly worried about possible disruptions to oil supplies, especially given the strategic importance of the Strait of Hormuz, a chokepoint for global energy shipments. Energy stocks responded positively to the spike in oil. Defense and aerospace stocks also moved higher as the market anticipated increased military spending in response to the escalating crisis.
Solar stocks plunged on Tuesday on the U.S. Senate’s actions regarding renewable energy incentives. A Senate Finance Committee proposal aimed at reshaping President Trump’s massive tax-and-spending bill would phase out federal tax credits for solar and wind energy by 2028, a significant pre-ponement compared to the existing policy, which extends credits through 2032.
The proposal reduces incentives starting in 2026. Credits would fall to 60% of their current value and be eliminated altogether by 2028. This shift marks a stark preference for other clean technologies such as geothermal, nuclear and hydropower.
Economic Data
Per the U.S. Census Bureau, Business Inventories for April remained virtually unchanged. The number for March stayed unrevised at a 0.1% increase.
According to a Fed report, Capacity Utilization for May decreased to 77.4%. The number for April remained unrevised at 77.7%. Industrial Production for May declined 0.2%, while the number for April was revised up to an increase of 0.1%.
Per the Census Bureau, Advance estimates of U.S. retail and food services sales for May 2025 were down 0.9% from the previous month. The number for April was revised down to a decrease of 0.1% from the previously reported increase of 0.1%. Core retail sales decreased 0.3% in May. The number for April was revised to unchanged from the previously reported increase of 0.1%.
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Stock Market News for Jun 18, 2025
Wall Street closed lower on Tuesday, pulled down by a broad-based slump. Investors remained concerned about further escalation in the Iran-Israel conflict as the United States moved fighter jets to the Middle East. All three benchmark indexes closed the session in the red.
How Did the Benchmarks Perform?
The Dow Jones Industrial Average (DJI) slid 0.7%, or 299.3 points, to close at 42,215.80. Twenty-six components of the 30-stock index ended in negative territory, while four ended in positive.
The tech-heavy Nasdaq Composite lost 180.1 points, or 0.9%, to close at 19,521.09.
The S&P 500 fell 50.39 points, or 0.8%, to close at 5,982.72. Eight of the 11 broad sectors of the benchmark index closed in the green. The Consumer Discretionary Select Sector SPDR (XLY), the Health Care Select Sector SPDR (XLV) and the Materials Select Sector SPDR (XLF) declined 1.7%, 1.7% and 1%, respectively, while the Energy Select Sector SPDR (XLE) advanced 0.9%.
The fear-gauge CBOE Volatility Index (VIX) increased 13% to 21.60. A total of 15.7 billion shares were traded on Tuesday, lower than the last 20-session average of 18 billion. Decliners outnumbered advancers by a 2.07-to-1 ratio on the NYSE and by a 2.36-to-1 ratio on the Nasdaq.
Conflict in the Middle East Escalates Further
Wall Street saw a broad-based decline on Tuesday, June 17, as escalating tensions between Israel and Iran rattled investor confidence and sparked a classic flight to safety. President Trump issued a stark warning to Iran, demanding its “unconditional surrender.” Speaking aboard Air Force One after leaving the G7 summit, he declared that Iran must give up entirely on nuclear weapons, stating emphatically, “Iran cannot have a nuclear weapon, it's very simple.” He urged Tehran to “make a deal now,” insisting the window for diplomacy had closed and warning of “even more destructive and deadly military action” if Iran failed to comply.
The United States deployed F???16, F???22 and F???35 aircraft to the region. However, these deployments were described as defensive measures intended to intercept incoming drones and projectiles and to strengthen protection for American forces and interests amid the Israel???Iran escalations.
The renewed geopolitical conflict sent oil prices soaring more than 4%, with West Texas Intermediate crude nearing $76/barrel and Brent crude approaching $77. Investors grew increasingly worried about possible disruptions to oil supplies, especially given the strategic importance of the Strait of Hormuz, a chokepoint for global energy shipments. Energy stocks responded positively to the spike in oil. Defense and aerospace stocks also moved higher as the market anticipated increased military spending in response to the escalating crisis.
Consequently, shares of Lockheed Martin Corporation (LMT - Free Report) and Chevron Corporation (CVX - Free Report) rose 2.6% and 1.9%, respectively. Both currently carry a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold). You can see the complete list of today's Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here.
Solar Stocks Plunge on Proposed Senate Action
Solar stocks plunged on Tuesday on the U.S. Senate’s actions regarding renewable energy incentives. A Senate Finance Committee proposal aimed at reshaping President Trump’s massive tax-and-spending bill would phase out federal tax credits for solar and wind energy by 2028, a significant pre-ponement compared to the existing policy, which extends credits through 2032.
The proposal reduces incentives starting in 2026. Credits would fall to 60% of their current value and be eliminated altogether by 2028. This shift marks a stark preference for other clean technologies such as geothermal, nuclear and hydropower.
Economic Data
Per the U.S. Census Bureau, Business Inventories for April remained virtually unchanged. The number for March stayed unrevised at a 0.1% increase.
According to a Fed report, Capacity Utilization for May decreased to 77.4%. The number for April remained unrevised at 77.7%. Industrial Production for May declined 0.2%, while the number for April was revised up to an increase of 0.1%.
Per the Census Bureau, Advance estimates of U.S. retail and food services sales for May 2025 were down 0.9% from the previous month. The number for April was revised down to a decrease of 0.1% from the previously reported increase of 0.1%. Core retail sales decreased 0.3% in May. The number for April was revised to unchanged from the previously reported increase of 0.1%.