Stocks fall as oil hits $100, inflation fears grow
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- 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).
Why it matters: Higher oil and sticky inflation pressure markets, delaying rate‑cut hopes and deepening investor risk.
