Stock market today: Dow, S&P 500, Nasdaq slide to cap 3rd week of losses as $100 oil sparks inflation fears
Why it matters: Higher oil and sticky inflation pressure markets, delaying rate‑cut hopes and deepening investor risk.
- Dow Jones, S&P 500, Nasdaq all fell (0.2‑0.9%) on Friday, extending a three‑week losing streak (both sources).
- Oil prices rose to $98‑$100 per barrel on WTI and Brent, driven by the Iran‑related conflict, stoking inflation fears (both sources).
- PCE inflation index showed a 0.3% monthly rise in headline prices, while core PCE was flat, nudging investors to postpone expectations of Fed rate cuts (source 1).
- Q4 GDP revised down to 0.7% growth, confirming a slowdown and adding to the bearish outlook (source 1).
- Consumer sentiment hit its lowest March reading this year, and JOLTS job openings ticked up, adding mixed signals to the economy (source 1).
US equities slipped Friday, marking a third straight week of losses as oil surged past $100 and inflation data revived Fed‑rate‑cut doubts, while Middle‑East tensions keep energy markets volatile.
