Finance

Energy markets continued to influence sentiment as Brent crude traded near $100 per barrel amidst escalating tensions in the Middle East. The persistent surge in fuel costs has fueled investor fears that broader inflationary pressures could prompt the Federal Reserve to implement further interest-rate hikes.

Wall Street participants remained highly focused on the afternoon release of the Federal Open Market Committee's September meeting minutes. Financial markets are closely scanning the transcripts to gauge the depth of the rate debate among central bankers, hoping for insights regarding potential policy shifts later this month.

In the technology sector, Space Exploration Technologies saw its shares dip ahead of the market open following reports of an ambitious capital plan. The private aerospace firm is reportedly aiming to raise $40 billion to secure artificial intelligence chips manufactured by Nvidia.