US stock markets opened largely unchanged on Thursday as investors weighed rising oil prices, renewed tensions between the United States and Iran, and mixed corporate performances. The Dow Jones Industrial Average and S&P 500 remained nearly flat, while the Nasdaq Composite moved slightly higher, supported by gains in semiconductor stocks.

Shortly after trading began, the Dow Jones Industrial Average gained 63 points, or 0.1 per cent, while the S&P 500 edged up more than 0.04 per cent. The Nasdaq Composite advanced 0.08 per cent as chip-related companies outperformed. Among individual stocks, Goldman Sachs Group shares climbed nearly 2 per cent, while Salesforce shares declined more than 4 per cent. Shares of Microsoft, McDonald’s, Procter & Gamble and Walt Disney also fell by nearly 2 per cent.

Investors also reacted to fresh US labour market data, with initial jobless claims declining during the holiday week. According to the Labor Department report, unemployment claims continued to ease after a rise earlier in June, providing some support to market sentiment.

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Commodity markets reflected concerns over geopolitical risks. Spot gold increased 1 per cent to $4,117.5 per ounce, while West Texas Intermediate crude futures rose 0.2 per cent to trade above $73.65 per barrel. Brent crude prices moved higher near $79 per barrel. Currency markets remained mostly stable, with the Bloomberg Dollar Index showing little movement, while Bitcoin gained 1.3 per cent to $62,856.44.

The market movement followed a volatile session on Wednesday, when the S&P 500 slipped slightly and the Nasdaq gained on strength in semiconductor stocks. The Dow Jones, however, declined as investors responded to escalating tensions between the US and Iran and concerns over possible disruptions to global energy supplies.

The latest geopolitical developments came after the US carried out additional strikes on Iran following attacks targeting commercial shipping near the Strait of Hormuz, according to US Central Command. Oil prices remained relatively stable after US President Donald Trump indicated that discussions with Iran could continue despite rising tensions, though uncertainty over future negotiations and regional stability continued to influence investor sentiment.

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