U.S. Stocks Remained Under Pressure for Fourth Consecutive Week

Barry Adams
16 Mar, 2026
New York City

Stocks on Wall Street attempted to rebound from another losing week, and investors reviewed the fast-changing war in the Middle East. 

The S&P 500 Index edged up 0.4%, and the tech-heavy Nasdaq Composite inched higher 0.6%.

World markets turned lower for the second consecutive week as crude prices raced to multi-year highs as conflict in the Middle East showed no signs of easing. 

China's generally positive economic data painted a positive picture for the start of 2026 as retail sales, industrial production, and overall fixed-asset investment advanced in the first two months. 

China's trade surplus continued to advance, driven by a rise in global exports despite geopolitical headwinds. 

China's retail sales advanced 2.8%, industrial output rose 6.3%, and the jobless rate ticked up to 5.3%, according to the statistical bureau.

The sustained rise in exports and China's large rebate program contributed to the solid economic data. 

As exports became less reliable and more volatile, China's policymakers have been pushing for higher domestic consumer spending, renewable energy-driven projects, and digital products. 

Despite the 11.1% decline in real estate investment, overall fixed investment increased 1.8% in the two-month period, confirming the sustained government spending. 

China's new home prices declined 3.2% from a year ago across 70 cities in the February period, according to the National Bureau of Statistics. 

New home prices fell for the 32nd consecutive month and decreased at the steepest pace since June.

Crude oil prices advanced for the fourth week, and the Strait of Hormuz, the key passage for oil shipments in the region, remained closed for the third week. 

In early trading on Monday, the Texas crude oil advanced 1% to $100.36 a barrel before settling down to $97.25 a barrel, and Brent crude edged up 0.3% to 103.35 a barrel. 

 

U.S. Movers 

Oil companies led the most actively traded stocks in New York. 

Exxon Mobil, Chevron, ConocoPhillips, and EOG Resources advanced between 0.5% and 2%. 

Micron Technology advanced 4.4% to $444.60, and the memory chipmaker announced its plan to build a second plant in Taiwan.