Most US Stocks Close Lower as Middle East Conflict Fuels Inflation Fears
Due to the Middle East conflict pushing up energy prices, market concerns about prolonged high inflation triggered a sell-off in U.S. Treasury bonds on the 19th, with the 30-year bond yield briefly rising to 5.19%. Against this backdrop, most major U.S. stock indices closed in the red; the Dow, S&P 500, and Nasdaq all fell, while only the Philadelphia Semiconductor Index posted a slight gain.
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- 📰 Published: May 20, 2026 at 07:05
- 🔍 Collected: May 20, 2026 at 07:31 (25 min after Published)
- 🤖 AI Analyzed: May 20, 2026 at 07:40 (8 min after Collected)
(CNA, New York, 19th, Comprehensive Foreign Report) Soaring energy prices driven by the conflict in the Middle East have sparked concerns that inflation could remain high for some time, triggering a sell-off in U.S. Treasury bonds. The yield on the 30-year Treasury bond, which moves inversely to its price, once climbed to 5.19%. As a result, major U.S. stock indices mostly closed lower today.
The Dow Jones Industrial Average fell 322.24 points, or 0.65%, to close at 49,363.88.
The S&P 500 index dropped 49.44 points, or 0.67%, to end at 7,353.61.
The Nasdaq Composite slid 220.02 points, or 0.84%, to 25,870.71.
The Philadelphia Semiconductor Index edged up slightly by 2.98 points, or 0.03%, to 11,305.50. (Translator: Kao Chao-fen / Editor: Hung Chi-yuan) 1150520
The Dow Jones Industrial Average fell 322.24 points, or 0.65%, to close at 49,363.88.
The S&P 500 index dropped 49.44 points, or 0.67%, to end at 7,353.61.
The Nasdaq Composite slid 220.02 points, or 0.84%, to 25,870.71.
The Philadelphia Semiconductor Index edged up slightly by 2.98 points, or 0.03%, to 11,305.50. (Translator: Kao Chao-fen / Editor: Hung Chi-yuan) 1150520