Stocks close fourth straight week in the red

Despite small bounces here and there, stocks spent most of the week selling off. 

Stocks
After falling 1.6% the week prior, the S&P 500 began the week with a rally, closing Monday up 1.01%. Tech stocks were among those that benefitted from the push higher. The rally continued on Tuesday, bolstered by gains from key travel and airlines stocks, but faded into the market close. On Wednesday, a significant reversal wiped out all the gains from Monday and Tuesday, as a new Producer Price Index update revealed elevated inflation in the economy. The Fed also announced it would be holding interest rates steady, a decision driven in part by uncertainty regarding the conflict in Iran. Stocks continued to sell off early Thursday, but managed to turn green by the end of the day. Then on Friday, the bearishness returned, driven by new developments from the conflict in Iran and the continued uncertainty it's driving regarding oil supply. Overall, energy minerals, industrial services, and communications were the top performers during the week, while consumer durables, process industries, and non-energy minerals lagged. 

Bonds
After US 10-year yields soared to as high as 4.29%, and the 30-year to as high as 4.869% during the Friday before, yields began the week on a downward trajectory, influenced by falling oil prices and anticipation for Wednesday's FOMC announcement. On Wednesday, however, new data showing inflation remains elevated and a Fed decision to keep interest rates steady pushed yields higher. They then spiked on Thursday and Friday on the heels of continued geopolitical uncertainty, with the 10-year hitting 4.388% and the 30-year hitting 4.958% going into the weekend. 

Oil
Oil prices cooled early in the week after the prior week's substantial volatility that at one point sent prices surging. On Monday, new comments from the White House regarding the situation in the Strait of Hormuz helped prices pull back to start the week. However, this would be short-lived. On Wednesday, Brent prices jumped above $107 as investors assessed new volatility stemming from the conflict in Iran. They soared again on Thursday, topping $119 before pulling back on the heels of new hopes that the Strait of Hormuz could be opened soon. However, new developments from the conflict in Iran sent prices higher again on Friday, erasing much of Thursday's drop.

Gold 
Gold prices fell slightly to begin the week, fueled in part by uncertainty regarding inflation from the conflict in Iran. On Wednesday, however, the downtrend picked up steam, with prices closing down over 3.7% on the day. They fell further on Thursday, dropping another 3.4% on the day. Like in other markets, volatility was driven in part by the latest inflation data and Fed decision, as well as news from the conflict in Iran. This marks gold's third straight week in the red.

Crypto 
Bitcoin prices broke above the $74,500 mark on Monday, closing its eighth straight day in the green. Altcoins rallied as well, and to a greater degree than bitcoin. On Tuesday, bitcoin prices topped $76,000, but it wouldn't last long. On Wednesday, they dropped over 3.6%, falling back below their February highs. Bearishness settled in despite new guidance from the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) regarding which digital assets are classified as securities versus commodities. Last week, crypto rallied while stocks and other areas of the market fell. But this week, they were unable to withstand the broader market volatility.

Source: Yahoo Finance, as of March 20, 2026.

KEY DATA FOR THE WEEK OF MARCH 23

More economic updates lie in the cards, including new employment data. The earnings lineup will include large corporations from the industrials and retail sectors, among others.

Source: Fidelity.com, as of March 20, 2026.