US Stock Market | Oil shock and war fears jolt global markets ahead of key US inflation data
Why it matters: Higher oil prices could ignite inflation, squeezing margins and hurting investors.
- Brent crude surged past $110 per barrel, with Reuters and other outlets citing supply‑disruption fears from the Middle East.
- S&P 500 closed the week about 2% lower, reflecting heightened geopolitical anxiety and concerns over inflation‑linked risk.
- U.S. labor data showed a February payroll decline and unemployment rising to 4.4%, adding uncertainty before the upcoming CPI.
- Strait of Hormuz traffic slowed and several Middle‑Eastern producers curtailed output, tightening global oil supplies.
The US‑Israel‑Iran conflict has pushed Brent crude above $110, rattling global equity markets and dragging the S&P 500 down roughly 2% as investors brace for energy‑driven inflation ahead of the US CPI report.
