U.S. stocks end lower as conflict in the Strait of Hormuz intensifies (COMP:IND:)

Wall Street's major averages sold off on Thursday, with the S&P 500 down 0.4% after both the S&P 500 and Nasdaq had just hit record highs the prior day. The decline was driven by investors digesting new Middle East conflict developments, which pushed markets into a risk-off stance. The move reflects a broad, geopolitically driven hit to sentiment rather than a company-specific catalyst.

Analysis

Wall Street's major averages sold off on Thursday, with the S&P 500 down 0.4% after both the S&P 500 and Nasdaq had just hit record highs the prior day. The decline was driven by investors digesting new Middle East conflict developments, which pushed markets into a risk-off stance. The move reflects a broad, geopolitically driven hit to sentiment rather than a company-specific catalyst.