US Equity Markets Lower After Treasury Yield Hike, Chances of Policy Rate Increase, President Trump's Threat to Hit Iran Again

04:14 PM EDT, 05/19/2026 (MT Newswires) -- US equity indexes end lower on Tuesday after the 30-year treasury yield hit a near two-decade high, the chances of an interest rate hike increased and President Donald Trump threatened to resume strikes if Iran fails to reach a peace deal.

* President Trump warned strikes would resume on Iran in the coming days as part of the push for a deal to end the war, after he said he had just called off a US attack, Bloomberg reported.

* The probability of a 25 basis-point increase in US interest rates in December was at over 40% from 1% a month ago, according to the CME FedWatch tool Tuesday.

* Redbook US same-store sales rose by 8.1% from a year earlier in the week ended May 16 after a 9.6% year-over-year increase in the previous week.

* June West Texas Intermediate crude oil fell $0.07 to settle at $108.59 per barrel, while July Brent crude, the global benchmark, was last seen down $0.85 at $111.25.

* The Kroger (KR) shares were up about 3.4%, the biggest gainer on the S&P 500, after the company said it has been included among the 2026 Axios Harris Poll 100, an annual ranking of the most visible companies in the US.

* Estee Lauder (EL) remains in talks with Puig over a potential business combination, though there's no announcement to make yet, Reuters reported, citing Estee Lauder (EL) CEO Stephane de La Faverie. Estee Lauder (EL) shares were down 5.4%, the steepest decliner on the S&P 500.

MT Newswires does not provide investment advice. Unauthorized reproduction is strictly prohibited.