SynopsisUS stocks fell on Wednesday as Brent crude climbed above $100 a barrel, raising fresh inflation concerns and weighing on investor sentiment. The S&P 500, Nasdaq and Dow declined as Treasury yields rose ahead of key US inflation data.

Markets are also weighing the possibility of a Federal Reserve rate hike next week. comUS stocks fall as oil crosses $100.

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inflation data that could influence the Federal Reserve's next interest-rate decision, Reuters reported. 64.

42, according to preliminary data cited by Reuters. Oil surge raises fresh inflation concernsBrent crude moved above the psychologically important $100-a-barrel mark as concerns over global oil supplies grew amid escalating tensions in the Middle East.

-Israeli war on Iran has entered its seventh month, raising fears that the conflict could spread across the region and further disrupt energy supplies. For investors, the oil rally carries a broader implication because higher energy prices can feed into inflation and complicate the outlook for interest rates.

The S&P 500 energy index gained on Wednesday, while all other sector indexes fell. The rise in oil prices also came as Treasury yields climbed.

S. Treasury note reached its highest level since November 2023 after the Treasury Department said it would buy up to $6 billion of government bonds with maturities of 10 to 20 years.

That purchase was smaller than some analysts had anticipated, with expectations ranging from $8 billion to $10 billion. Higher yields on relatively risk-free government debt can make stocks less attractive to investors, adding to the pressure on equities."

S. Bank Wealth Management in Seattle, according to Reuters.

Inflation data now takes centre stageInvestors will turn to the Producer Price Index on Thursday and consumer price data on Friday for clues about the Federal Reserve's interest-rate path. Traders are pricing in a 60% chance that the Fed will raise interest rates at its policy meeting next week.

The S&P 500 is now around 2% below its August 13 record closing high, although the index remains up about 12% in 2026. Some technology stocks provided support.

Meta jumped after the social media company rolled out its long-awaited AI assistant, which can autonomously perform tasks including sending emails, selling a car and making travel bookings on behalf of users. 1 billion in AI infrastructure in Finland over the next two years, including a major agreement for the supply of nuclear power.