Middle East tensions escalated, with the US stock market still in a tense state, the three major indices fell for the second consecutive day on Wednesday. The S&P 500 index opened 10 points lower; the Dow opened 31 points lower; the Nasdaq opened 43 points lower.

Sportswear company Nike (NKE.US) fell over 7% after withdrawing its annual sales target, dragging down the Dow. Technology stocks also struggled for the second consecutive day, with Tesla (TSLA.US) announcing lower-than-expected third-quarter deliveries, leading to a roughly 6% drop in stock price.

Following Iran's missile attack on Israel, energy stocks rose. APA Corporation (APA.US) and Marathon Oil (MRO.US) both rose 2%, while Occidental Petroleum Corporation (OXY.US) rose 1%.

Boosted by China's stimulus measures, Chinese concept stocks rose. JD.com (JD.US) rose 5%, Baidu (BIDU.US) and PDD Holdings (PDD.US) each rose 3%. Alibaba (BABA.US) hit a 52-week high, rising 2%.