Dow Jones Top Markets Headlines at 3 AM ET: U.S. Stocks Fade for a Second Straight Session, Oil Rises | Iran ...

U.S. stocks slipped for a second straight session while oil climbed as investors waited for Wednesday’s inflation data. Markets stayed cautious as traders weighed how Middle East tensions could affect the economy. The report also highlighted a range of company and policy developments: the SEC signaled it may move faster than the “Clarity Act” to tighten crypto rules if Congress does not act; July home sales fell 1.7% month over month and the median price rose to $434,100; and the National Federation of Independent Business said its small-business optimism index hit 99.8. In parallel, China’s auto market weakened further in July.