Retail investors have recently turned their attention to pure-play oil ETFs following the onset of the Iran conflict, according to Vanda Research. On Thursday, retail investment in these ETFs surged to a record $211 million, surpassing previous highs recorded in May 2020. The United States Oil Fund (USO) experienced its third-largest day of retail buying to date. Vanda Research noted, “While some analysts have attempted to capitalize on the oil price spike by shorting, retail investors have successfully bought the dips throughout the week.”
Meanwhile, stocks are making headlines for various reasons. Adobe saw a significant decline of over 5% in its shares after CEO Shantanu Narayen announced he would step down after a successor is identified. Narayen, who has held the CEO position since 2007, will remain as chair of the board. The announcement overshadowed a strong performance in the company’s first-quarter financials.
Ulta Beauty took a hit of 12% following disappointing earnings results. The beauty retailer reported earnings of $8.01 per share, slightly below the $8.03 anticipated by analysts, even though its revenue of $3.9 billion exceeded expectations of $3.8 billion. Baby food brand Once Upon A Farm, co-founded by actress Jennifer Garner, saw its stock plunge 8% after issuing conservative guidance for 2026, despite reporting growth-driven revenue.
In the electric vehicle sector, Rivian Automotive’s shares fell 2% after the company introduced its upcoming R2 platform, designed to offer competitively priced models ranging from $45,000 to $57,990. However, investors remain skeptical as Rivian struggles with high production costs amid a challenging EV market, overshadowed by Tesla’s dominance. Year-to-date, Rivian’s stock is down approximately 24%.
As gas prices are set to rise amid tensions in the Middle East, Deutsche Bank analyst Lauren Silberman highlighted potential vulnerabilities for the restaurant sector. She warned that sustained increases in fuel prices could pressure discretionary spending. The analyst pointed to previous trends during the Russia-Ukraine conflict, noting that restaurants faced immediate declines in customer traffic. Among the stocks best positioned to weather these changes are McDonald’s, Starbucks, Shake Shack, and Texas Roadhouse.
Fears of a stagflation scenario reminiscent of the 1970s have surfaced as rising oil prices coincide with economic uncertainties linked to the Iran conflict. Such conditions historically led to significant declines in market performance, with the S&P 500 dropping over 40% during the 1973 recession. As markets remain jittery, investors are advised to keep a close watch on economic indicators.
The Bureau of Labor Statistics reported January job openings exceeded expectations, climbing to 6.9 million, while consumer sentiment decreased in March according to the University of Michigan’s survey. The overall consumer outlook deteriorated as fears regarding economic stability rise amid ongoing military actions in the Middle East.
In early trading, U.S. equities experienced a bounce, with the Dow Jones Industrial Average gaining 301 points and the S&P 500 and Nasdaq both climbing 0.5%. Amidst these fluctuations, President Trump has again called for the Federal Reserve to reduce interest rates, despite the complexities stemming from instability in the Middle East.
As energy prices escalate, traders have shifted their expectations regarding potential Federal Reserve interest rate cuts. Initial hopes for easing measures have dwindled, with traders now projecting only one cut by December, pending stabilization in global markets. This sentiment aligns with broader economic concerns linked to the ongoing military and geopolitical upheaval.
Original Source: https://www.cnbc.com/2026/03/12/stock-market-today-live-updates.html
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Publish Date: 2026-03-13 23:50:00
