U.S. markets ended mostly lower on Monday amid lingering concerns about the conflict in the Middle East, as President Donald Trump has warned Iran the ‘clock is ticking’. Trump said that Iran better get moving, FAST, or there won't be anything left of them, leading to worries about the U.S. renewing military action. However, markets regained some lost ground in late-day trading after Trump said he is calling off a plan to attack Iran on Tuesday after the heads of three regional powers in the Middle East asked him to hold off. Traders also found some support with the National Association of Home Builders released a report showed the NAHB/Wells Fargo Housing Market Index in the US, which measures builder confidence in the market for newly built single-family homes, rose to 37 in May 2026 from 34 in April which was its lowest level since September 2025, and came in above forecasts of 35. The current sales conditions rose three points to 40. Sales expectations in the next six months increased three points to 45 and traffic of prospective buyers posted a three-point gain to 25. Also, 32% of builders cut prices in May, down from 36% in April. The average price reduction was 6%, up from the 5% figure in April.
Nasdaq decreased 134.41 points or 0.51 percent to 26,090.73 and S&P 500 fell 5.45 points or 0.07 percent to 7,403.05, while Dow Jones Industrial Average rose 159.95 points or 0.32 percent to 49,686.12.
