U.S. equities pared earlier declines to finish mixed as hopes grew for a delay to Donald Trump’s Iran deadline. The S&P 500 and Nasdaq Composite closed slightly higher, while the Dow Jones Industrial Average fell 0.2%. Markets turned in the afternoon

2026-04-08

U.S. equities pared earlier declines to finish mixed as hopes grew for a delay to Donald Trump’s Iran deadline. The S&P 500 and Nasdaq Composite closed slightly higher, while the Dow Jones Industrial Average fell 0.2%. Markets turned in the afternoon after Pakistan proposed a two-week extension. Earlier losses followed Trump’s escalation rhetoric and reports of U.S. strikes on Kharg Island. Oil eased, with West Texas Intermediate near $111 and Brent crude around $106.