Major indexes end mixed amid uncertainty over Iran war…Oracle ↑ [New York Stock Market Briefing]

U.S. stocks ended mixed as uncertainty over the Iran war persisted.

On the 10th (local U.S. time), at the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE), the Dow Jones Industrial Average closed at 47,706.51, down 34.29 points (0.07%) from the previous session.

The Standard & Poor’s (S&P) 500 fell 14.51 points (0.21%) to 6,781.48, while the Nasdaq Composite finished at 22,697.1, up 1.16 points (0.01%).

U.S. President Donald Trump said the previous day that the Iran war was in its final stages, but tensions surrounding the Strait of Hormuz still appear unresolved.

U.S. Energy Secretary Chris Wright wrote on his social media account, "The U.S. Navy successfully escorted tankers transiting the Strait of Hormuz to ensure crude oil is supplied to global markets without disruption."

However, Secretary Wright soon deleted the post.

Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) immediately denied Wright’s claim.

The IRGC said, "During the war, no U.S. vessel would dare approach the Gulf of Oman, the Persian Gulf, or the Strait of Hormuz."

In a briefing after Wright’s remarks, the White House also said, "To date, the U.S. Navy has not escorted any tankers or ships," adding, "At the President’s direction, we are preparing additional options to keep the Strait of Hormuz open."

After sliding sharply on Wright’s comments, oil prices pared losses, and stock indexes shifted back toward a sharp-decline trajectory.

Then, reports that Iran had begun laying mines in the Strait of Hormuz widened declines in stock indexes.

CBS reported that U.S. intelligence authorities had detected signs Iran was laying mines along shipping routes in the Strait of Hormuz. Iran’s mine stockpile has not been disclosed, but is estimated at between 2,000 and 6,000.

President Trump warned, "If mines have been laid for any reason and they are not immediately removed, the military consequences for Iran will be at a level never seen." He added that U.S. forces struck and completely destroyed 10 mine-laying vessels.

By sector, all sectors fell except communication services and technology. Energy slid more than 1% amid a sharp drop in oil prices.

Airline stocks also fell on the day amid the Iran war and elevated oil prices. United Airlines fell 3.62% and Delta Air Lines declined 2.16%.

U.S. enterprise software company Oracle posted fourth-quarter results that topped expectations on strong cloud segment revenue.

Oracle reported fourth-quarter revenue of $17.19 billion and earnings per share (EPS) of $1.79. On the news, Oracle shares jumped more than 7% in after-hours trading.

Noh Jeong-dong, Hankyung.com reporter dong2@hankyung.com