On March 13, 2026, major U.S. stock indices experienced declines: the S&P 500 fell by 0.55%, the Dow Jones by 0.82%, and the Nasdaq 100 by 0.50%. The downturn was influenced by a higher-than-expected increase in February’s Producer Price Index (PPI), which rose by 0.7% month-over-month and 3.4% year-over-year, contrary to estimates of 0.3% and 3.0%, respectively.
In the oil market, WTI crude prices demonstrated volatility, swinging by more than 2% amid escalating tensions in the Middle East. Following Iranian threats to target energy infrastructure in Saudi Arabia and the UAE, the International Energy Agency (IEA) noted disruptions affecting 7.5% of global oil supply, with forecasts anticipating an 8 million barrels per day reduction this month.
Mortgage applications in the U.S. also reflected economic pressures, declining by 10.9% in the week ending March 13. The average 30-year fixed mortgage rate increased to 6.30%, contributing to concerns about home-buying prospects as the Federal Reserve concludes a meeting expected to maintain its interest rate target unchanged at 3.50%-3.75%.
