A sentiment of risk aversion looms over the markets during Wednesday’s trading session, triggering midday losses across the board in stocks and cryptocurrencies and prompting a flight towards bonds, as investor confidence remains dampened by geopolitical and economic risks. The situation in the Middle East remains highly uncertain, with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stating that despite advice from allies to avoid a retaliation against Iran, Israel will make its own decisions on security. Investors also parsed through the latest remarks from Fed Chair Jerome Powell, which officially dashed hopes for imminent rate cuts amid a lack of confidence about disinflation. The S&P 500 declined by 0.5% by 1.15 p.m. EDT, while the tech-heavy Nasdaq 100 underperforming, down by 1.2%. Semiconductors were among the weakest-performing industries, with the VanEck Semiconductors ETF (NYSE:SMH) falling by 2.5%, on track to close at its lowest level in nearly two months. Investors ...