Stocks Edge Lower as Iran Conflict Uncertainty Dampens Markets

U.S. stocks finished modestly lower as investors weighed ongoing uncertainty over when the Iran conflict will end, with the S&P 500 down 0.2% to 6,782.43, the Dow off 0.1% to 47,706.51, and the Nasdaq essentially flat at 22,697.10; oil prices eased after a rally earlier in the session, reflecting tempered inflation fears, while Trump signaled the war could end soon even as fighting continued, and Oracle drew attention for its AI/cloud-related capital expenditures ahead of earnings.