U.S. crude oil also jumped for a second straight day, rising more than 5% to almost $92 per barrel — its highest level since June 11. The new surge in prices comes after Tehran-

The Iranian-aligned Houthis said they struck two Saudi oil tankers as part of a naval blockade on Saudi Arabia.

The Houthis claimed to have attacked two ships in the Red Sea, and Iran said a third caught fire near the Strait of Hormuz.

Oil prices rose to a near six-week high on Wednesday on mounting concerns about disruptions to Middle Eastern supply routes.

US stocks swung between small gains and losses after chipmakers came off session lows and oil prices jumped on the escalation of the US-Iran war. Traders are also bracing for key earnings from Alphabet Inc.

Those risks seem to be weighing on equity investors today, with the Nasdaq composite slipping after yesterday’s chip-stock rally. Big Tech earnings will be in focus this afternoon, with updates from Alphabet,

Shares of Alphabet and Tesla fell in premarket trading on Thursday after both firms signalled increased AI spending, unnerving investors worried about the mounting costs of the artificial intelligence boom.

US stocks closed mixed on Wednesday as rising oil prices and caution ahead of a key batch of corporate earnings weighed on investor sentiment. Investors also continued to monitor developments in the Middle East and reassess expectations for Federal Reserve interest rates.

CNBC's Jon Fortt joins 'Closing Bell Overtime' with IBM quarterly results. In-N-Out CEO reveals the region she will never expand to Princess Charlotte’s new birthday photo draws Diana comparison Rick

IBM (NYSE:IBM) lowered its revenue growth expectations for 2026 after weaker demand for data-centre mainframe systems weighed on quarterly performance, although the company maintained confidence in its profitability and long-term artificial intelligence strategy.

IBM dropped its full-year revenue growth target on Wednesday to between 4% and 5% from a prior forecast of over 5%, after sales of its mainframe hardware fell 42% in the second quarter. The cut confirms to shareholders who had watched the stock recover over the last few years that IBM’s most profitable legacy

CEO says Big Blue is well-positioned across its software, infrastructure and consulting businesses to help customers capture value from AI.

European indexes fell in opening trade, as consumer stocks that had rallied in the last session handed back some gains.

European shares edged lower on Wednesday, dragged down by technology stocks as caution prevailed ​ahead of earnings from U.S. big ​techs, while investors assessed escalating Middle ⁠East tensions.

European markets slip as UK GDP rises 0.1% and trade deficit narrows; track Stoxx 600, bond yields and EUR/USD moves—read the latest update.

European stocks closed higher on Tuesday, supported to a large extent by gains in technology and materials sectors, as investors looked ahead to earnings updates from several big-name companies and awaited the European Central Bank's monetary policy announcement.

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JPMorgan just posted the biggest quarterly profit ever by a U.S. bank, but Jamie Dimon says investors shouldn't expect this level of performance to last.

JPMorgan CEO Jamie Dimon says he wouldn't buy stocks or long-dated Treasurys at current prices, warning markets are underpricing geopolitical and fiscal risks.

JPMorgan Chase common stock trades at ~3x tangible book, with preferred shares offering a 6% yield. Learn why JPM.PR.D stock is a buy.

Gold ​rose to a two-week high on Wednesday on technical buying as investors ‌assessed the widening Middle East conflict and awaited the U.S. Federal Reserve meeting next week for clues on the interest rate outlook.

Gold prices traded close to a two-week high on Thursday as markets balanced rising geopolitical tensions in the Middle East against growing expectations that higher energy prices could keep inflation elevated and influence the Federal Reserve’s next policy decision.

Gold ​ticked lower on Thursday, slipping from two-week highs hit in the ‌previous session, as an escalating Middle East conflict drove oil prices higher, while traders shifted focus to next week's Federal Reserve meeting for clues on the timing of potential interest rate ​hikes.

Gold prices climbed to their highest level in more than two weeks on Wednesday as investors returned to the precious metal amid escalating geopolitical tensions in the Middle East and continued support above the