Stocks Struggle, Oil Holds Above $100 as Iran War Escalation Clouds Outlook

Traders work on the floor of the New York Stock Exchange on April 17, 2026. Michael M. Santiago/Getty ImagesGlobal stocks struggled on Tuesday while oil prices held well above $100 a barrel, as renewed hostilities between the United States and Iran around the Strait of Hormuz kept investors on edge and raised fresh concerns about prolonged energy supply disruptions.Equity markets across Asia and Europe weakened in thin trading on May 5, reflecting caution after all three of Wall Street’s main indexes retreated from record highs on Monday and as geopolitical risks overshadowed otherwise solid corporate earnings.