US Stocks Swing as Oil Prices Climb Amid Iran War

Uncertainty over the war's end fuels market volatility

Mar. 30, 2026 at 8:21pm

U.S. stocks fluctuated on Monday as oil prices continued to rise due to uncertainty surrounding the end of the ongoing war between the United States and Iran. The S&P 500 index fell 0.4%, extending its decline to 9.1% below its record high set earlier this year, while the Dow Jones Industrial Average gained 0.1% and the Nasdaq Composite dropped 0.7%.

Why it matters

The volatility in the stock market reflects the broader economic uncertainty caused by the prolonged conflict with Iran, which has disrupted global energy supplies and fueled concerns about the potential for further escalation and its impact on the U.S. and global economies.

The details

The fluctuations in the stock market on Monday were driven by the continued rise in oil prices, which have been a major source of concern for investors since the outbreak of the war with Iran. The uncertainty surrounding the eventual resolution of the conflict has made it difficult for investors to gauge the long-term impact on the economy and corporate earnings.

  • The S&P 500 index has fallen 9.1% below its record high set earlier this year.

The players

Bobby Charmak

An employee working on the floor of the New York Stock Exchange.

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The takeaway

The ongoing volatility in the stock market underscores the broader economic uncertainty caused by the war with Iran, which has disrupted global energy supplies and fueled concerns about the potential for further escalation and its impact on the U.S. and global economies.