Market Report, 2026-03-18

Stocks saw most of their gains from the first two days of the week wiped out on Wednesday as a trio of hard hits landed on the market. First, oil prices climbed further, with Brent rising more than 5% to above $100 per barrel and WTI increasing by more than 2%. Then there were February’s wholesale inflation figures, which rose much more than expected, reflecting higher costs prior to the war in Iran. Finally, although the Federal Reserve projected a quarter-point cut later this year and another in 2027, it also stated that economic activity “has been expanding at a solid pace” and that “inflation remains somewhat elevated,” which added to the market’s unease.

All major stock indices posted meaningful losses. The Dow Jones Industrial Average declined by 768 points to 46,225. The Nasdaq dipped 1.43% to 24,425. The S&P 500 lost 1.36% to 6,625. No sector was safe from today’s decline, but consumer staples, consumer discretionary, and materials fell the most, each losing more than 2%.

Safe-haven assets also did not perform well. The 5-year U.S. Treasury yield rose 9 basis points to 3.88%, and the 10-year yield rose 7 basis points to 4.27%. Gold, an asset that is especially sensitive to interest rates, declined by more than 3% to below the 4,900 mark.

As the conflict in the Middle East continues, more uncertainty is being introduced into the market as the potential impacts grow steeper and longer-lasting. Here at Adams Wealth Advisors, we will continue to bring you the latest updates. Thank you for listening.