Traders were busy on the floor of the New York Stock Exchange on the morning of March 30, 2026, as U.S. stock futures saw modest gains during the evening session, boosted by a drop in oil prices after an initial surge. Futures linked to the S&P 500 climbed 0.3%, while Nasdaq 100 futures increased by 0.2%. Dow Jones Industrial Average futures rose by 177 points, or 0.4%.
Earlier, oil prices had spiked following a Bloomberg report detailing that Iran had targeted a Kuwaiti oil tanker in Dubai waters. The Dubai government’s media office quickly reassured the public, posting on X that “no injuries were reported” and confirming the safety of all 24 crew members aboard. Brent crude futures rose by 2%, while West Texas Intermediate prices jumped by 3%. However, oil prices retreated after a Wall Street Journal report emerged, indicating that former President Donald Trump expressed a willingness to end military hostilities in the Middle East, even if the Strait of Hormuz remained shut, signaling a potential shift in geopolitical tensions.
In the regular trading session on Monday, the S&P 500 fell 0.39%, marking its third consecutive day of decline. The Nasdaq Composite dipped 0.73%. In contrast, the Dow managed a slight gain, rising by 49.50 points, or 0.11%. The S&P 500’s decline leaves it just over 9% off its recent closing high, primarily driven by a significant drop of more than 1% in the technology sector.
Art Hogan, chief market strategist at B. Riley Wealth Management, commented on the downturn, suggesting that this pullback may simply be a typical market correction rather than a concerning trend. “There are a couple of narratives at play, but long-term investors should remember that 10% corrections are common,” Hogan told CNBC. “They happen frequently; on average, we see one every two years. It’s vital for investors to recognize that the volatility in equities comes at a price for the potential for higher long-term returns.” He also noted that there have been occasional positive trading days amid fluctuating news.
Other factors influencing the market included rising geopolitical tensions in the Middle East. The CBOE Volatility Index, known as Wall Street’s fear gauge, surpassed 30 during the trading day, indicating increased uncertainty. However, news suggesting a potential resolution to the ongoing conflicts offered some optimism. Trump shared on Truth Social that “great progress has been made” in negotiations with “a NEW, AND MORE REASONABLE, REGIME to conclude our military operations in Iran.” He noted that Iran had reportedly accepted the majority of a 15-point U.S. plan to de-escalate tensions, with additional agreements allowing 20 oil ships to navigate the Strait of Hormuz.
Adding to investor confidence, Fed Chair Jerome Powell indicated on Monday that the inflation outlook remains stable and that there are no immediate plans for interest rate hikes. Looking ahead, traders will closely monitor the March consumer confidence index and February’s JOLTS job openings report, both set for release on Tuesday.
Correction: An earlier version contained inaccuracies regarding the performance of the major averages; only the S&P 500 and the Nasdaq Composite experienced losses in Monday’s session.
Original Source: https://www.cnbc.com/2026/03/30/stock-market-today-live-updates.html
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Publish Date: 2026-03-31 08:36:00
