Nasdaq leads Wall Street higher in the face of Iran tensions and oil volatility

Markets were modestly higher as the Nasdaq led gains despite Middle East tensions and volatile oil. The US Tech 100 outperformed, with the Nasdaq up about 0.5% as investors weighed a possible ceasefire deadline with Iran, oil shocks and upcoming inflation data. Broad indices ticked up (S&P 500 +0.4%, Dow +0.4%) while payrolls showed steady job growth (178,000 jobs; unemployment 4.3%), reinforcing a resilient economic backdrop that could keep monetary policy hawkish. Oil pulled back from earlier spikes (Brent down ~1.6% to ~$107; WTI down ~2% to ~$109), tempering immediate inflation fears, but analysts warn persistent energy-led price pressure could complicate the Fed outlook. Corporate catalysts and earnings season, plus an AI-focused tech conference, kept attention on big-cap tech names, supporting the Nasdaq’s advance amid a cautious, risk-sensitive market tone.