On April 21, U.S. stock markets experienced a decline as concerns regarding the ongoing conflict in the Middle East overshadowed positive corporate earnings reports. The Dow Jones Industrial Average fell by 167.35 points, or 0.34%, to 49,275.21. The S&P 500 and Nasdaq Composite also saw losses of 0.4% and 0.28%, respectively. This dip followed a report from the Israeli military about rocket fire from Hezbollah, raising tensions in the region. Despite this, retail sales in March rose by 1.7%, the largest increase since March 2025, driven by higher gasoline prices due to the conflict. UnitedHealth's stock surged nearly 9% after the company raised its annual profit forecast, contributing significantly to the Dow's performance. Meanwhile, optimism surrounding artificial intelligence and strong earnings reports from major companies like Amazon, which announced a $25 billion investment in AI, continue to provide some support to investors. However, the market remains wary of geopolitical developments, particularly regarding Iran, as uncertainty looms over future peace talks.