The S&P 500 Index ($SPX) (SPY) today is down -0.9%, the Dow Jones Industrial Average ($DOWI) (DIA) is down -1.2%, and the Nasdaq 100 Index ($IUXX) (QQQ) is down -0.9%. March E-mini S&P futures (ESH26) are down -1.3%, and March E-mini Nasdaq futures (NQH26) are down -1.2%.
Stocks are trading lower as crude oil prices are up more than +9% today, and temporarily traded above $100 per barrel. Oil prices have moved sharply higher on fears of a drawn-out war in the Middle East and on Israel's bombing of 30 Iranian fuel depots on Saturday. In addition, Saudi Arabia became the latest Middle East oil producer to cut production as its local storage facilities near capacity. Oil prices fell back from even sharper gains on news that G-7 finance ministers are discussing a possible joint release of oil reserves.
