U.S. Stocks End Lower as Oil Surges 12% and Labor Market Shows Signs of Weakness

U.S. equities finished lower on Friday as rising oil prices and a weaker labor report weighed on investor sentiment. The Dow Jones Industrial Average dropped 0.95% to 47,501.55, marking its largest weekly percentage decline since early April 2025. Wall Street’s three major indexes closed in negative territory following an unexpected slowdown in the U.S. job market and a 12% jump in oil prices, triggered by the intensifying conflict in the Middle East. A weaker-than-expected payroll report heightened fears that the U.S. economy may be losing momentum just as geopolitical tensions push energy prices significantly higher. This combination could place the Federal Reserve in a difficult position, making it harder to move forward with interest-rate cuts while also rekindling concerns about renewed inflationary pressure. Investment in securities market are subject to market risks. Read all the related documents carefully before investing. “The conflict now appears likely to persist much longer than many anticipated, and oil prices are climbing as a consequence,” said Kristina Hooper, chief market strategist at financial firm Man Group in New York. “This raises doubts about whether the Fed will even be able to lower interest rates.”