[BRIEFING.COM] The major averages remain mixed near their baselines as a relatively busy morning has faded into an increasingly quiet afternoon.
On the geopolitical front, Axios reported that the U.S. is trying to talk Iran out of charging tolls in the Strait of Hormuz as talks resume in Qatar. Bloomberg adds that shipping through the Strait of Hormuz has increased to 10 million barrels per day, helped by American military support.
Crude oil futures settled today's session $0.83 lower (-1.2%) at $68.69 per barrel.