US Stocks Decline as Hot Inflation Data and Trump's Iran Threats Weigh on Markets

US stock market indices, including the Dow Jones Industrial Average, closed lower on Friday as investors grappled with multiple headwinds. Recent economic data revealed a hotter-than-expected inflation reading, fueling concerns that interest rates may remain elevated for a longer period. Adding to the market's unease, President Donald Trump issued a direct threat against Iran, significantly escalating geopolitical tensions. This combination of persistent inflationary pressure and geopolitical uncertainty triggered a broad sell-off across major equity benchmarks like SPY and QQQ. Market participants are now shifting their focus toward the upcoming jobs report to gauge the Federal Reserve's next move. Safe-haven assets and commodities like WTI crude oil are being closely watched as volatility increases across global markets.