Stocks rise after recent declines; Japanese yen jumps against US dollar

U.S. stock indexes largely increased on Wednesday following a three-day decline, as investors awaited updates on the U.S.-Iran conflict, while the Japanese yen saw a significant rise against the U.S. dollar. The cause of the yen's movement remained unclear, as it had lost about half of its recent gains made following a rare joint intervention by the U.S. and Japan at the end of July.

The yen climbed 0.79 percent to 158.92 per dollar. U.S. Treasury yields fell from multi-year peaks, deepening concerns about tighter monetary policy and worsening fiscal conditions. Investors remained focused on Iran, with fears of a renewed escalation in the Middle East gripping the region after the U.S. and Iran exchanged their largest barrage since July.

Oil prices climbed about 1 percent due to worries about potential disruptions to energy supplies, with Brent crude futures rising 1 percent to $95.63 a barrel and U.S. West Texas Intermediate crude futures increasing 0.9 percent to $91.01.