Global stock markets closed lower on Monday, July 20, 2026, amid anxiety over tensions in the Middle East. The Dow Jones Industrial Average closed at 51,839.26, down 307.16 points, or 0.59 percent. The S&P 500 closed at 7,443.28, down 14.41 points, or 0.19 percent. The Nasdaq Composite closed at 25,508.07, down 12.17 points, or 0.05 percent. European markets also declined, with the Stoxx 600 closing at 639.60, down 1.93 points, or 0.30 percent. West Texas Intermediate crude for August delivery rose 74 cents, or 0.9 percent, to settle at 83.23 dollars a barrel. Comex gold for August delivery fell 2.90 dollars, or 0.07 percent, to settle at 4,015.90 dollars an ounce. The US dollar strengthened against major currencies, with the dollar index rising 0.19 percent to 100.957.