U.S. stocks edged lower as investors navigated a mix of rising oil prices, corporate earnings signals, and shifting expectations around Federal Reserve policy. The Dow, S&P 500, and Nasdaq all turned down after early gains, reflecting a market grappling with geopolitical tensions and inflation concerns. Indexes Pull Back All three major indexes slipped roughly between 0.3% and 0.6%, giving back some of the previous session’s momentum. The downturn followed renewed volatility in energy markets and cautious sentiment around consumer spending. Oil Prices Add Fresh Pressure Crude prices extended their sharp rally, driven by heightened worries over a potential U.S.–Iran conflict. Brent crude climbed above $71 per barrel, while West Texas Intermediate hovered near $66 — its biggest daily jump since October. Rising energy costs revived inflation concerns and weighed on equities. Walmart Earnings in Focus Walmart posted stronger‑than‑expected results, but its cautious pro...
Market Turmoil: UnitedHealth's Plunge Sends Dow Spiraling Amid Weekly Losses
The stock market faced another turbulent session as UnitedHealth (UNH) shares plummeted over 22%, dragging the Dow Jones Industrial Average down by more than 500 points. The Nasdaq Composite and S&P 500 struggled to find footing, with both indexes sputtering after Wednesday’s tech-led sell-off.
UnitedHealth’s sharp decline followed a cut in its full-year profit forecast, making it the worst-performing Dow component of the day. The broader market also felt the weight of uncertainty surrounding trade policies and Federal Reserve decisions, as Fed Chair Jerome Powell warned of economic challenges ahead due to tariffs.
Despite a slight rebound in the S&P 500, all three major indexes closed the week lower, with the Dow and Nasdaq falling over 2.5% and the S&P 500 down around 1.5%. Investors now turn their attention to upcoming earnings reports and economic indicators that could shape market sentiment in the coming weeks.
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