Markets slide on oil price rise and weak U.S. jobs data
Global stocks fell on Friday as oil hit two-year highs and U.S. payrolls dropped in February. Investors are reassessing rate paths amid growth concerns.
Global financial markets retreated on Friday as a combination of geopolitical instability and a sharp contraction in the labor market of the United States heightened fears of an economic slowdown. The escalating conflict involving Iran has driven energy prices to levels not seen in nearly two years, forcing investors to recalibrate their expectations for interest rate cuts.
Equity markets reflected this anxiety, with futures for the S&P 500 declining 0.84% and Nasdaq futures sliding 1.02%. Across the Atlantic, the European STOXX 600 index fell by 1%. On a broader scale, the MSCI all-world stock index is on track for a 2.9% weekly loss, marking its most significant downturn since early 2025.
