Live Nasdaq Composite: Markets Rattled by Inflation and Fragile Mideast Ceasefire
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Market Turnaround
The markets have recovered earlier losses in a whipsaw trading session, with all three of the major stock market averages now in the green. The Nasdaq Composite is up 0.58%. The Nasdaq 100 is also up fractionally. On the volatility front, the VIX index is down 4.7%, suggesting less fear in the markets today.
Strait Closed
The markets have turned decidedly lower on multiple reports that the Strait of Hormuz remains blocked. The UAE has stated, “The Strait is not open,” assigning a reported 55% chance shipments will return to normal levels by July.
WTI oil is up 7.9% to $101/barrel.
Inflation Rears Its Head
The core PCE price index, the Fed’s preferred inflation measure, climbed 3% higher annually in February, while the all-items headline reading came in at 2.8%, both as expected. On a monthly basis, core and headline prices each climbed 0.4%, keeping the Fed well above its 2% target heading into the conflict.
This article will be updated throughout the day, so check back often for more daily updates.
The markets are returning some of yesterday’s gains as reality sets in on the fragility of the ceasefire deal between the U.S. and Iran. Oil prices are rising back to the psychologically sensitive $100/barrel level on reports the Strait of Hormuz remains blocked, sending stocks lower. Stock market averages are mixed, with the Nasdaq Composite attempting slight gains.
Here’s a look at where things stand as of morning trading:
Dow Jones Industrial Average: 47,719 Down 0.40%
Nasdaq Composite: 22,627 (basically flat)
S&P 500: 6,773 Down 0.16%
Economic Snapshot
On the economic front, the U.S. economy ended 2025 on a softer note than thought. Q4 GDP was revised down to a 0.5% annualized pace, missing the 0.7% estimate and falling well short of the 4.4% growth seen in Q3, according to the Commerce Department. GDP gains were powered by tailwinds in consumer spending and investment. The labor market is showing some cracks. Jobless claims came in at 219,000 for the week ending April 4, above the 210,000 estimate.
Market Movers
Intel (Nasdaq: INTC | INTC Price Prediction) and Google (Nasdaq: GOOGL) are joining forces on a multi-year collaboration to advance the next generation of AI and cloud infrastructure, with Intel’s Xeon processors continuing to power Google Cloud workloads alongside expanded co-development of custom infrastructure processing units.
In a tech tie-up, Meta (Nasdaq: META) is directing another $21 billion to CoreWeave (Nasdaq: CRWV) for AI cloud infrastructure, boosting a previous $14.2 billion agreement, with the new spending running from 2027-2032.
Amazon (Nasdaq: AMZN) Pharmacy wants to get Eli Lilly’s (NYSE: LLY) newly approved GLP-1 pill Foundayo drug into patients’ hands. According to reports, the e-commerce giant will offer same-day delivery in close to 3,000 U.S. cities, with pricing starting at $1 a day with insurance or $5 cash.
Palantir Tech (Nasdaq: PLTR) is losing 3.8% today. Adobe (Nasdaq: ADBE) is sinking 3.7%.
Gerelyn Terzo is the author of dividend investing handbook "Dividend Investing Strategies: How to Have Your Cake & Eat It Too." A veteran financial journalist, she covers agri-finance for outlets like Global AgInvesting and the broader stock market and personal finance for 24/7 Wall Street. She began at CNBC and later helped launch Fox Business in New York. Gerelyn currently resides in Woodland Park, Colorado and dabbles in nature photography as a hobby.
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