US equity indexes traded mixed after Iran's move to halt indirect peace talks with the US sent crude oil futures sharply higher and as technology extended gains.
The Nasdaq Composite climbed 0.2% to 27,030.4, with the S&P 500 up less than 0.1% to 7,583.9, while the Dow Jones Industrial Average was lower by 0.2% to 50,912.6 after midday on Monday.
Energy and technology, which last week jumped more than 5%, were the only sectors in positive territory intraday. Utilities, consumer staples, health care led the decliners.
Iran will halt talks with the US in protest of Israel's military operations in Lebanon, media outlets reported Monday, citing Iran's state-affiliated news outlet Tasnim. President Donald Trump, who last week received a framework for a peace agreement with Iran, had sent back changes to the proposed deal, officials said, insisting on tougher language about Tehran's nuclear commitments and its pledge to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, CNN reported.
Brent crude futures soared 7.2% to $97.71, and West Texas Intermediate crude oil futures surged 8.3% to $94.62. The rise follows US attacks on Iranian military sites and Tehran targeting a US military base, according to media reports.
In company news, Nvidia (NVDA) has launched RTX Spark, a new AI chip that will feature in Microsoft (MSFT) Windows laptops and desktop personal computers. Nvidia's shares jumped 3.9% and Microsoft rose 2.3%, among the top gainers on the Dow.