U.S. stocks had their best August since 2021. September could prove to be challenging

Two U.S. stock indices—the S&P 500 and the Nasdaq Composite—posted their best August gains since 2021. However, on the last day of the month, the major U.S. market benchmarks fell due to the resumption of hostilities in the U.S.-Iran conflict and the ensuing spike in oil prices.

The S&P 500 rose 2.6% for the month of August, while the Nasdaq gained 3.9%, according to Barron's. However, on Monday, August 31, the former fell 0.33% and the latter dropped 0.12%. The Dow Jones Industrial Average, a blue-chip index, lost 0.7%, while the Russell 2000, an index of small- and mid-cap companies, fell 0.5%. Only the Nasdaq 100, in which tech giants hold significant weight, posted a slight gain.

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