US markets fell yesterday after President Donald Trump held back from immediate military action in the Israel-Iran conflict. The S&P 500 lost 13 points or 0.2% to close at 5,968 yesterday. The Nasdaq Composite shed 99 points or 0.5% to 19,447. However, the Dow Jones Industrial Average rose 38 points, or 0.1%, to 42,210.

The US imposed Iran-related sanctions a day after Trump said he might take two weeks to decide on further action. The new sanctions target entities, individuals and vessels providing Iran with defence machinery, and were seen as a sign of a diplomatic approach from the Trump administration.

European foreign ministers urged Iran to engage with the US over its nuclear programme after high-level talks in Geneva about a potential new nuclear deal ended with little sign of progress.

Federal Reserve policymakers made their first public comments since Chair Jerome Powell said on Wednesday that borrowing costs were likely to fall this year, but that he expects “meaningful” inflation ahead as Trump’s tariffs raise prices for consumers.