CoinMeta data: Today, the U.S. stock market opened lower, with the S&P 500 index falling 0.34% to 7,637.18, the Dow Jones Industrial Average dropping 171 points by 0.32%, and the Nasdaq Composite Index declining 0.44% to 25,893.95. This decline continued the sell-off of tech stocks seen on Thursday, with Nasdaq plummeting 2.6% that day. Meanwhile, the price of Brent crude oil rose to $114.72 due to concerns about supply caused by tensions in the Middle East. High oil prices pose challenges for stock market investors, as energy costs affect transportation, manufacturing, and consumer spending. Persistent oil price inflation may complicate the Federal Reserve's interest rate prospects, making it difficult to support loose monetary policy even if economic growth slows down.