Markets Wobble as Middle East Tensions and Rate Cuts Loom

The stock market felt the heat on a recent Friday, with the S&P 500 taking a small dip. Investors were keeping a close eye on the Middle East and wondering when the Federal Reserve might start cutting interest rates. The S&P 500 ended the day at 5, 967. 84, down by 0. 22%. The Nasdaq Composite also saw a drop of 0. 51%, closing at 19, 447. 41. Meanwhile, the Dow Jones Industrial Average managed a slight gain of 0. 08%, finishing at 42, 206. 82. Chip stocks faced some tough times. A report suggested that the U. S. might stop some exemptions for semiconductor makers. Nvidia and Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing both took hits, down by over 1% and nearly 2%, respectively. The VanEck Semiconductor ETF (SMH) also fell by nearly 1%. The market had started the day on a high note. Federal Reserve Governor Christopher Waller hinted that the central bank could cut rates as soon as July. "I think we're in a good spot to do this, maybe even by July, " he mentioned in an interview. However, Fed Chair Jerome Powell had previously stated that the Fed wasn't in a rush to cut rates. Powell emphasized that the Fed would keep an eye on the data, especially with the uncertainty around President Donald Trump's tariffs. Trump had criticized Powell again, claiming that the Fed Chair was costing the U. S. billions by delaying rate cuts. Tensions in the Middle East were also high. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu reportedly ordered strikes on Iranian targets. Trump was considering direct U. S. involvement, with a decision expected soon. Iran's supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, had dismissed Trump's calls for surrender as "ridiculous. " Sam Stovall, a chief investment strategist, noted the uncertainty in the market. "With all this chaos, who wants to invest heavily before the weekend? " he asked. He also pointed out that the S&P 500 was still near its 52-week high, suggesting that previous highs can be tough to beat. "If things calm down geopolitically, that could be a good sign, " he added. For the week, the S&P 500 was slightly down by 0. 2%. The Dow managed a tiny gain of 0. 02%, while the Nasdaq saw a small rise of 0. 2%. The market's performance reflected the ongoing uncertainty and the need for clear direction from both the Fed and global political leaders.