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Iran Tensions Drag Markets Lower as Google Scores $5B Windfall

Wall Street Journal Markets •
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Middle East tensions rattled markets Wednesday as fresh hostilities between Iran and regional adversaries intensified. A barrage of ballistic missiles and drones from Iran forced Kuwait's international airport to shut down, while oil prices climbed on supply disruption fears. The conflict showed no signs of easing toward a ceasefire.

Wall Street responded with broad declines. The Dow Jones Industrial Average tumbled 621 points, and the S&P 500 dropped 0.7% as investors priced in geopolitical risk. President Trump told the New York Post that an Iran blockade could potentially extend until Labor Day, though he characterized that outcome as unlikely.

Amid the market turmoil, Google received an unexpected windfall. The tech giant secured a $5 billion boost through an unanticipated offering, providing a rare bright spot in an otherwise volatile trading session. This surprise capital infusion arrived as tech stocks struggled alongside broader market declines.

The divergent performance underscores how geopolitical uncertainty continues to drive market volatility while selective opportunities emerge for well-positioned companies. Energy and defense sectors likely benefited from the risk-on move, while growth stocks faced headwinds from the uncertain outlook.