US stocks found early support Monday as oil prices dropped during a pause in the Iran conflict, but that strength did not hold through the session. By the close, the market had largely given back its opening advance.
The S&P 500 finished flat, reflecting a mixed day for investors. Relief from lower oil prices helped sentiment at first, yet the broader rally faded as trading went on.
A key source of pressure came from semiconductor shares. Chipmakers weakened enough to push the Philadelphia Semiconductor Index lower for a third straight session, limiting gains across the wider market and weighing on technology-heavy trading.
The session showed how quickly attention can shift between geopolitical developments and sector-specific weakness. Even with oil tumbling, losses in semiconductors kept US equities from building on their early momentum.
