Wall Street opens higher despite escalation in the Middle East: modest gains supported by employment data.

Wall Street opened in positive territory after days of strong volatility, despite the escalation in the Middle East. The main U.S. indices posted gains supported by labor market data showing an increase in employment in the United States.

Although the advances were modest, the S&P 500 rose by 0.14%, the Nasdaq Composite gained 0.64%, and the Dow Jones Industrial Average added 0.3%, reaching 48,558.56 points.

Commodities were also slightly higher: gold climbed 0.61% to $5,158 per ounce, while silver posted a more modest 0.2% increase. Copper also opened the Wall Street session up 0.94%.

On the energy front, however, gas and oil pulled back after the sharp gains of recent days. Natural gas fell 4.32%, while oil — the undisputed protagonist of the latest sessions — slipped 0.32%, settling at $74.42 per barrel.

The decline in crude prices followed remarks by Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, who told CNBC on Wednesday that the United States would announce “a series of measures” to ensure the flow of oil through the Persian Gulf.

His comments came after President Donald Trump said on Tuesday that the U.S. would provide insurance to tankers in the region and, if necessary, have the U.S. Navy escort ships through the Strait of Hormuz.

Benedetta Zimone