U.S. stocks opened lower on Wednesday as oil prices surged past $100 a barrel for the first time since July amid deepening Middle East tensions. The Dow Jones Industrial Average fell 78.2 points, or 0.15%, to 52,707.9, while the S&P 500 dropped 12.8 points, or 0.17%, to 7,660.68 and the Nasdaq Composite declined 96.4 points, or 0.36%, to 26,325.061. An earlier market update reported larger declines later in the session, with the Dow down 0.72% at 52,404.12, the S&P 500 off 0.28% at 7,652.41 and the Nasdaq down 0.32% at 26,337.64. Energy shares gained 1.8%, while consumer staples fell 1%. Signet Jewelers rose about 19% after reporting quarterly earnings of $2.19 per share, above the $1.74 analyst consensus, and raising its FY27 adjusted EPS guidance; sales of $1.528 billion narrowly missed estimates of $1.530 billion. Megan Holdings surged 607% after announcing a 1-for-30 share consolidation, while Opus Genetics and Agroz also advanced. Green Circle Decarbonize Technology, U Power and ServiceTitan fell. A separate market snapshot listed oil at $95.87, up 3.1%, alongside gains in gold and silver. European shares declined, Asian markets were mostly lower, and mortgage applications fell 2.7% in the first week of September.