US equity markets opened in mixed territory on Thursday, with semiconductor shares providing a crucial counterweight to broader risk-off sentiment.
The Dow Jones Industrial Average dipped 0.19% to 52,249.44, while the S&P 500 edged up 0.12% to 7,491.60 at the open.
The divergence highlights how sector-specific momentum in technology is currently insulating parts of the market from geopolitical shocks.
The mixed start follows a weekend of escalating tensions, with the US launching new strikes against Iran on July 7 and 8.
These actions have reignited fears regarding supply chain disruptions and potential retaliation, particularly concerning the Strait of Hormuz.
Despite the heightened geopolitical risk, investors appear to be weighing the immediate impact of the strikes against the resilient earnings momentum in the tech sector.