US Stock Market LIVE Updates: S&P 500 futures ease after Monday rally as oil rebounds, Iran conflict continues

US Stock Market LIVE Updates: US equities fell on Tuesday (March 24) following a strong rally in the previous session as investors reacted to conflicting signals on the US-Iran conflict. The S&P 500 and Nasdaq Composite each declined 0.5%, while the Dow Jones Industrial Average dropped 340 points, or 0.7%.

The prior session saw major indexes rise more than 1% after President Donald Trump said in a Truth Social post that the US and Iran have held “very good and productive conversations regarding a complete and total resolution of our hostilities in the Middle East.” Iranian state media, however, reported that there were no direct talks between the two countries.

Crude prices moved higher as the fighting continued. West Texas Intermediate crude rose about 2.6% to $90.41 a barrel. Iran carried out overnight attacks on Israeli cities, including Tel Aviv, Eilat and Dimona, and also targeted US bases in the Middle East. In response, Israel launched a wave of strikes across western and central Iran, including the capital Tehran.

Global markets have been on a roller-coaster ride over worries about the war in Iran, which began in late February, especially in nations in Asia, which are severely affected by any lack of access to the Strait of Hormuz, crucial for energy shipments from the Middle East.

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