XETRA:HEN3 26 March 2026

US Stock Market Today: Dow Jones, S&P 500 and Nasdaq Slide as Oil Tops $105 and Fed Cut Hopes Fade

The S&P 500 fell 1% and the Nasdaq dropped 1.3% by midday Thursday as rising oil prices and ongoing Iran war concerns rattled markets. Brent crude climbed above $105, fueling inflation fears and pushing 10-year Treasury yields to 4.38%. Tech stocks led losses, with Meta down 6.8% after a jury verdict. Energy shares rose, and Olaplex surged 51% after a $1.4 billion buyout.

26 March 2026

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Rising Gas Prices May Boost Costco Stock Amid Inflation Concerns
March 26, 2026, 2:24 PM EDT. As gas prices surge due to the Iran War, retail stocks face pressure from fears of softer consumer spending. Costco (COST) stands out as a potential beneficiary. Its member-only gas stations offer fuel discounts of around $0.20 per gallon, attracting budget-conscious shoppers. With inflation driving consumers to tighten spending, Costco's bulk pricing on essentials could push sales higher while competitors struggle with discretionary items. The retailer's expanding ancillary services like vision and travel also support membership growth. Despite rising energy costs, Costco offsets these through increased memberships and pricing power. Its global membership renewal dipped slightly recently, but higher fuel prices may incentivize retention, especially among younger digital members. Although trading near 50 times forward earnings, Costco's unique value proposition amid inflation justifies investor interest this year.