US equities were lower on Tuesday as higher energy prices dented the outlook on margins and lifted risks of higher interest rates. The S&P 500 and Nasdaq 100 were 0.4% down, and the Dow fell nearly 1%. New strikes between the US and Iran prolonged expectations on suspended fuel exports from the Persian Gulf, while attacks from Houthi forces damaged Saudi energy infrastructure and dented their capacity. Borrowing costs for US companies were also lifted by hawkish signs from the Bank of Japan and likely selling of US Treasury securities by Japan to support the yen. Credit-sensitive hyperscalers were firmly lower, with Microsoft and Alphabet down 1%, while Amazon fell 1% ahead of its sterling bond offer. AI companies have increasingly borrowed in foreign currencies as dollar bond markets already face soaring AI-debt supply. In turn, Oracle gained 5% ahead of its earnings this week.