The S&P 500 declined Wednesday as higher oil prices and Treasury yields unsettled equity investors. West Texas Intermediate rose 3% to above $96 a barrel amid escalating Middle East tensions and concerns about further energy-supply disruptions. Treasury yields increased after the Treasury Department announced a $6 billion government-debt buyback, three times the normal amount. Meta shares gained more than 6% after the company introduced its personal AI agent app late Tuesday, though the stock remains cheap, according to Jim Cramer. Meta President and Vice Chair Dina Powell McCormick's comments about supporting communities that host data centers also drew Cramer's approval. Concerns about energy use, pressure on public services and AI safety have increased uncertainty around the data-center trade. Apple shares fell more than 1% before its annual fall product launch, John Ternus' first as CEO since taking over on Sept. 1. Investors are watching for a foldable iPhone expected to start at around $2,000, while portfolio director Jeff Marks cautioned that Apple's stock has historically risen into the event and pulled back afterward. The CNBC Investing Club's rapid-fire segment covered Casey's General, Signet Jewelers, ServiceTitan and Jersey Mike's. Cramer is scheduled to discuss six stocks he believes investors must buy at the September Monthly Meeting on Thursday at noon ET.