U.S. stocks were flat at the open on May 8 as investors digested the April jobs report and Iran-related headlines, but major indexes later ended at record highs. Treasury yields stayed in range and oil eased earlier in the session.
U.S. stocks were little changed at the open on Thursday as investors digested the April jobs report, corporate earnings and fresh headlines tied to Iran and the Strait of Hormuz.
Charles Schwab said the market opened flat to slightly higher, while Wall Street Journal live coverage said Treasury yields held near recent ranges after the stronger-than-expected labor report. Reuters also described an early session shaped by choppy trading in stocks and oil as investors tracked Middle East developments.
The tone later improved. Associated Press reported that major U.S. indexes finished May 8 at record highs, with the S&P 500 up 0.8%, the Nasdaq up 1.7% and the Dow up 0.1%.
The day left investors balancing two competing forces: a solid jobs backdrop that helped support risk assets and continued concern that Iran-related tensions could disrupt energy markets or broader sentiment. Oil had eased earlier in the session, and yields remained rangebound, but the late market move showed buyers were still willing to push equities higher.
The next question is whether the strong close holds into the next session, or whether fresh Middle East headlines or bond-market moves reassert pressure on stocks.
Revision note
Updated market story to reflect the later record-close session.