U.S. stocks retreated from their records Tuesday after Iran fired missiles into Israel, a sharp escalation of tensions in the Middle East that investors fear could lead to disruptions in the flow of oil.

The S&P 500 pulled 0.9% lower, and the Dow Jones Industrial Average lost 173 points, or 0.4%, after both had set all-time highs the day before. The Nasdaq composite dropped 1.5% after paring a bigger loss from earlier in the day, like other indexes.

Oil prices jumped amid speculation about how Israel and the United States may respond to Iran’s move.

Dream jobs, in case you are looking

The most desirable jobs in the U.S., according to new research by BeamJobs, are realtor, with 52,948 average monthly Google searches, travel agent followed by firefighter, with average monthly search volumes of 35,691 and 29,434, respectively.

Nurse comes in next with a median annual salary of $86,070 and ultrasound technician, that pays 81,350, closes out the top five.

Bay State businessman

Cross Insurance Chairman Royce Cross is set to be given The Insurance Library Association of Boston’s 2024 Insurance Professional of the Year award.

Under Cross’s leadership the firm has grown into one of New England’s largest insurance providers, with some 1,100 employees in more than 50 offices. The company offers personal and commercial policies, as well as employee benefit and student health plans. Cross Insurance is the official broker of the Boston Bruins, Boston Red Sox, New England Patriots, New England Revolution.

Originally Published: October 1, 2024 at 4:48 p.m.