Stock Market Today: Markets Wobble as Middle East Tensions Flare

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Market Overview at the Closing Bell

The U.S. stock market closed with mixed results on Friday, June 13, 2025, as escalating tensions between Israel and Iran overshadowed recent positive economic data. The S&P 500 managed to eke out a gain of 0.3%, finishing at 6,045.26, while the Dow Jones Industrial Average rose 0.2% to close at 42,967.62. The Nasdaq Composite also edged up 0.2% to 19,662.48.

Despite today’s modest gains, futures had pointed to a much more negative open, with pre-market indicators showing potential drops of over 1% across major indexes as news broke of Israel’s strikes on Iran’s nuclear facilities. Oil prices surged in response, with West Texas Intermediate crude jumping nearly 8% to around $73.50 per barrel at one point during the session.

Key Market Drivers

Market participants spent much of the day weighing the implications of the Middle East conflict against recent positive economic developments. Thursday’s softer-than-expected producer price index (PPI) data, which showed a 0.1% increase in May versus the expected 0.2%, had initially bolstered investor sentiment. This followed earlier encouraging consumer inflation data, suggesting the Federal Reserve might have more flexibility with interest rates.

The utilities and technology sectors led today’s gains, with the Utilities Select Sector SPDR (XLU) rising 1.2% and the Technology Select Sector SPDR (XLK) climbing 0.9%. Conversely, communication services stocks faced pressure, with the Communication Services Select Sector SPDR (XLE) declining 0.8%.

Notable Stock Movers

Oracle Corporation (ORCL) was today’s standout performer, soaring 13.9% to a record high of $200.78 after reporting strong fiscal fourth-quarter results that exceeded analyst expectations. The company’s cloud infrastructure business grew 52% year-over-year, and management provided an optimistic outlook for fiscal 2026, projecting total cloud revenue growth of more than 40%.

Adobe Inc. (ADBE) shares fell despite the company reporting better-than-expected fiscal Q2 earnings after Thursday’s market close. The software giant beat both revenue and EPS estimates, driven by robust AI adoption across its core business, but investors appeared to take profits following the announcement.

Salesforce Inc. (CRM) continued its recent slide, with shares now down approximately 28% from their December peak despite reporting solid Q1 earnings. Some analysts view the current price as an attractive entry point, citing the company’s stabilizing growth, margin expansion potential, and strong free cash flow.

GameStop Corp. (GME) was among the day’s biggest losers, plummeting 23.2% as the meme stock rally that captivated markets earlier this week appeared to lose steam.

NVIDIA Corporation (NVDA) gained 1.5% as AI-related semiconductor stocks continued to attract investor interest despite broader market concerns.

Earnings Spotlight: After-Hours Reports

Several notable companies are scheduled to report earnings after today’s market close. Investors will be closely watching these reports for insights into consumer spending, enterprise technology adoption, and the broader economic outlook.

Among the companies reporting after hours are Broadcom Inc. (AVGO), which is expected to provide updates on its semiconductor business and AI initiatives. The company’s shares rose 1.3% during regular trading hours in anticipation of the report.

Looking Ahead: Key Events Next Week

Market participants will be monitoring several important economic indicators next week, including retail sales data and housing starts. Additionally, investors will be watching for any developments in U.S.-China trade negotiations, which have shown signs of progress in recent weeks.

The preliminary June reading of the University of Michigan’s consumer sentiment report, due later today, will also provide valuable insights into consumer confidence and inflation expectations.

As geopolitical tensions remain elevated, market volatility could persist in the coming sessions. However, the major indexes are still on track for their third consecutive week of gains, reflecting underlying resilience in the face of global uncertainties.

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial advice. We are not financial professionals. The authors and/or site operators may hold positions in the companies or assets mentioned. Always do your own research before making financial decisions.