US DJIA Drops 739 Points by Market Close; Nasdaq Declines 1.8%; Airlines and Banks Remain Weak
Written by Emily J. Thompson, Senior Investment Analyst
Updated: Mar 12 2026
0mins
Source: aastocks
Iran's Impact on Oil Prices: Iran's decision to continue closing the Strait of Hormuz has led to a surge in Brent crude prices, surpassing USD 100, while major US stock indices experienced significant declines.
Stock Market Performance: The DJIA fell by 739 points (1.6%), the Nasdaq dropped 404 points (1.8%), and the S&P 500 decreased by 103 points (1.5%), marking a trough for the year.
Sector Reactions: Airlines faced pressure due to rising oil prices, with American Airlines and United Airlines both dropping over 4%, while oil companies like Chevron and ExxonMobil saw gains.
Economic Indicators: The US core inflation rate for February was reported at 0.2%, and the unemployment rate rose to 4.4%, higher than previous values and forecasts.
About the author
Emily J. Thompson
Emily J. Thompson, a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) with 12 years in investment research, graduated with honors from the Wharton School. Specializing in industrial and technology stocks, she provides in-depth analysis for Intellectia’s earnings and market brief reports.
