Stocks

Toward the end of 2025, finance and insurance job openings in the United States fell to a 13-year low, with vacancies dropping by 117,000 since December to 134,000. While the broader economy unexpectedly lost 92,000 jobs in February, the financial activities sector still recorded a net gain of 10,000 positions. Healthcare, information, transportation, warehousing and the federal government all registered notable job losses over the month.

In a note published on Friday, NYDIG head of research Greg Cipolaro argued that the recent parallel rally in Bitcoin and U.S. software stocks reflects shared sensitivity to the current macroeconomic environment rather than a structural convergence. He said that although Bitcoin's 90-day correlation with software shares, the S&P 500 and the Nasdaq has risen, statistical measures suggest most of Bitcoin's price moves are still driven by factors outside traditional equity markets.

Michael Saylor signaled on Sunday that Bitcoin treasury company Strategy is preparing another BTC purchase while the Bitcoin price trades near $66,000. The firm's holdings stand at 720,737 BTC worth over $48.4 billion at recent market prices, yet its basic net asset value is under 1, indicating shares trade at a discount to its BTC reserves. Strategy continues to fund Bitcoin accumulation via debt and equity despite a broader market downturn and pressure on crypto treasury company valuations.

On March 8, 2026, crude oil's climb toward $100 per barrel prompted renewed inflation worries as Barclays highlighted how a 10% sustained rise can add about 0.2 percentage points to headline CPI within one to two months. The bank projects headline CPI at 2.7% and core CPI at 2.8% by December 2026 if oil does not stay elevated, but warns that a prolonged period near $100 could lift headline inflation toward 3% and potentially delay Federal Reserve rate cuts.

American Express is agreeing to a $17,500,000 settlement in a federal antitrust class action filed in New York that challenges its alleged anti-steering rules for merchants. The case covers consumers who made purchases between 2015 and 2022 at 38 businesses in nine US states, but the settlement will be distributed only to a subset of Illinois shoppers. Eligible Illinois residents used non-rewards Visa, Mastercard or Discover credit cards at specified merchants, and they must submit claims by May 19 before a judge considers final approval on June 17.

As of March 2026, the Nifty 50 trades near its long-term valuation range, while the Nifty Midcap 100 is priced well above its five- and ten-year average price-to-earnings ratios. Supporters highlight steady earnings and revenue growth along with India’s premium to other emerging markets, whereas skeptics warn that mid- and small-cap gains may not be matched by fundamentals and see better risk-reward in large-cap stocks.

During the week ending Friday, West Texas Intermediate crude notched its largest weekly advance since U.S. futures began trading in 1983, closing at $90.90 a barrel and jumping 35.63% amid war-related supply disruptions. Over the same period, Brent crude climbed about 28% to $92.69, while major U.S. stock indices, including the Dow, S&P 500, and Nasdaq, fell as traders contended with surging energy prices and weaker labor data.

The US-Israel war in Iran is disrupting the Strait of Hormuz and increasing risk for Toyota, Hyundai, Chery, and other Chinese car brands in key Middle Eastern markets. An analysis from Bernstein highlights that these foreign automakers, which together hold about one‑third of the covered regional market, face shipment delays, higher logistics costs, and potential sales pressure as oil prices surge and traffic through the strait slows. China, which receives around 45% of its oil via this route, is engaging Iran over safe passage for energy cargoes while global automakers and investors monitor the fallout.

On Friday, the Dow Jones Industrial Average fell 785 points, or 1.61%, to 47,399 amid a Brent crude surge to $90 and shipping disruption in the Strait of Hormuz. Energy supply fears from the US-Iran conflict drove heavy losses in major financial, industrial, and healthcare names, while select energy stocks gained. Analysts' models now link further oil price spikes to additional Dow declines, with upcoming payroll data and potential Hormuz developments set to determine whether the index rebounds or slides toward lower levels.

In February, the U.S. economy lost 92,000 jobs while the unemployment rate registered 4.4%, with 7.6 million people counted as unemployed. Labor force participation remained at 62.0% and the employment-population ratio stayed at 59.3%, as long-term joblessness reached 1.9 million people who had been out of work for at least 27 weeks. U.S. crude oil prices also surged above $80 per barrel, pushing gasoline prices higher amid escalating conflict in the Strait of Hormuz.