US equities extend losses as oil prices and inflation fears weigh

US equity markets extended declines on Thursday, with the Dow Jones Industrial Average falling 0.2% to 51,409 points, while the S&P 500 and Nasdaq 100 each dropped by 0.2% and 0.5%, respectively. The Nasdaq had previously reached a record high on Tuesday. Rising oil prices triggered a further sell-off in government bonds, pushing the yields on 30-year US Treasury notes to their highest level since 2004. Simon Wiersma of ING Bank noted this development as a notable headwind for equities. Concerns over escalating inflation also resurfaced, with geopolitical tensions in the Middle East—including warnings from Iranian officials about further regional conflicts—pushing oil prices higher. Additionally, reports suggested the US government was considering a ban on diesel exports, adding to market uncertainty.