Stocks Open Lower, Taking a Cue From Bonds

U.S. equities opened modestly lower on May 19, 2026 as stocks tracked a sharp selloff in government bonds following Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent’s call for allied financial action against Iran. The S&P 500 opened down about 0.5% as the 10‑year Treasury yield climbed to roughly 4.65% just before the bell. Investors worried the oil shock may be more persistent, lifting yields and pressuring risk assets. Market strategists also noted resilient global economic data, but the immediate market reaction was a risk-off tone across major indexes.