US Stock Market Today: Dow Falls 300 Points, Nasdaq & S&P 500 Mixed as Oil Surges Above $102 on US-Iran Tensions; Gold & Silver Slip, Bitcoin Retreats Above $73k | What Should Investor Know

Apr 13, 2026
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U.S. Stock Market Today: After US-Iran negotiations fell through, geopolitical tensions rose again on Monday, putting pressure on U.S. markets. A failed round of talks in Islamabad, Pakistan, sent a wave of risk-off sentiment through markets around the world. The Dow Jones Industrial Average fell sharply, led by financial stocks and at the same time, crude oil rose above $102 per barrel because people were worried that the Strait of Hormuz would cut off supply. As commodities, currencies and cryptocurrencies became more volatile, investors moved their money from stocks to safer assets.

U.S. Market Snapshot 

Index Level Change %Change
Dow Jones 47,701.27 -215.30 -0.45%
Nasdaq 22,946.98 +44.09 +0.19%
S&P 500 6,823.03 +6.14 +0.09%
NYSE 20,300 Mixed Flat to negative

Dow Jones

Dow Jones fell about 0.45% (215 points) to around 47,701 as US-Iran tensions and rising oil prices above $102 per barrel hit sentiment. Goldman Sachs led losses, dropping over 3.7%, while gains in Microsoft and Intel limited downside with broader risk-off mood weighed on financial and industrial stocks.

Nasdaq

Nasdaq rose about 0.19% (+44 points) to around 22,946, showing resilience despite geopolitical tensions and gains in tech stocks like Microsoft, Adobe and Intuit supported the index. However, weakness in semiconductors such as Micron and T-Mobile capped upside while oil above $102 per barrel kept overall market volatility elevated.

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S&P 500

S&P 500 edged up about 0.09% (+6 points) to near 6,823, as gains in software and cloud stocks offset weakness in financials and retail. Oracle and ServiceNow led advances, while Goldman Sachs and Target dragged while rising oil above $102 per barrel kept inflation fears and volatility elevated across markets.

NYSE

NYSE traded mixed and slightly negative as geopolitical tensions and oil above $102 per barrel weighed on sentiment. Financials declined, led by Goldman Sachs, while select tech and healthcare stocks provided limited support. Overall market breadth remained weak.

What is happening in the US stock market today after Trump’s Iran speech?

Markets turned volatile after statements from President Donald Trump confirming military escalation plans following failed diplomacy. The announcement of a naval blockade strategy heightened fears of regional conflict, pushing investors to reduce exposure to risk assets. Banks and industrials led declines, while tech showed resilience on selective buying.

Why Dow Jones, S&P 500 & Nasdaq Surged Earlier on Ceasefire Hopes

Earlier optimism around a possible ceasefire had triggered a broad rally across equities and hopes of reduced geopolitical tension lifted investor sentiment, sending the S&P 500 up more than 3% last week and Nasdaq nearly 4.7% however, that momentum reversed as peace talks collapsed, wiping out early gains.

U.S. Dollar & Treasury Yields Rise as Safe-Haven Demand Increases

U.S. Dollar index rose about 0.6% to near 106 as safe-haven demand increased with 10-year Treasury yield climbed roughly 7 basis points to around 4.35% with 2-year yield gained 5 bps. Investors shifted to safer assets amid geopolitical uncertainty and risk-off sentiment across equity and commodity markets. globally on heightened tensions. today

Oil Climbs Above $102 as US-Iran Tensions & Strait of Hormuz Risks Shake Markets

Crude oil surged sharply, with Brent and WTI both climbing nearly 8% intraday as WTI crossed $102 per barrel, while Brent traded above $100. Markets are pricing in supply disruption risks through the Strait of Hormuz, a key global oil transit route handling nearly 20% of global supply.

Oil Surges as US Naval Blockade Plans in Iran Raise Supply Fears

Reports confirmed that U.S. Central Command prepared to restrict maritime movement linked to Iranian ports. The development intensified fears of an extended blockade scenario and pushing energy traders to aggressively price in tighter supply conditions.

Oil prices jumped sharply after US plans for a naval blockade of Iranian ports heightened supply disruption fears. WTI crude surged about 8% to $104.24 per barrel, while Brent climbed nearly 7% to $102.29 and the move followed failed US-Iran talks, intensifying worries over Strait of Hormuz flows.

How Did Oil Prices Crash Lift US Stock Markets Earlier?

  • Oil fell sharply from around $102+ per barrel ands easing inflation fears
  • Lower crude reduced costs for airlines, transport and manufacturing firms
  • S&P 500 rose about 3.6% in its best weekly gain since November
  • Dow Jones gained nearly 3% over the week on improved sentiment
  • Nasdaq rallied as cheaper energy boosted growth and tech outlook
  • Falling oil reduced bond yield pressure and supported risk assets
  • Investors rotated from safe-haven assets back into equities
  • Airline and logistics stocks gained on lower fuel cost expectations

Gold & Silver Prices Slip Lower in Volatile Global Trading

Gold and silver prices declined amid stronger dollar demand and rising oil-driven inflation concerns. Spot gold slipped to around $4,720–$4,735 per ounce while silver dropped nearly 2% to about $74.00–$74.30 per ounce. The fall came despite geopolitical tensions, as investors preferred the US dollar over safe-haven metals and expectations of fewer Fed rate cuts also added pressure, keeping precious metals under short-term selling pressure in volatile global markets.

Gold Under Pressure as Crude Oil Prices Surge

Gold traded under pressure as oil prices surged above $100 per barrel, strengthening inflation expectations and the US dollar. Spot gold slipped about 0.2%–0.6% to near $4,730–$4,720, after briefly touching higher levels earlier in the session. Analysts say rising crude costs are reducing hopes for Fed rate cuts, keeping gold capped despite ongoing geopolitical tensions while silver also declined nearly 2%, reflecting weaker safe-haven demand amid a stronger dollar and shifting market sentiment.

Bitcoin & Crypto Stocks Shoot Higher

Bitcoin and crypto-linked stocks climbed sharply as risk sentiment improved across global markets. Bitcoin rose around 3–4% to the $71,000–$73,000 range, extending recent gains driven by ETF inflows and geopolitical easing. Crypto equities such as Coinbase, Riot Platforms and MicroStrategy also moved higher, tracking Bitcoin’s strength. The rally followed renewed optimism around potential US-Iran de-escalation, which boosted demand for risk assets and lifted the broader digital asset market. 

Bitcoin Retreats as Investors Lock in Profits After Big Weekly Surge

Bitcoin slipped back after its strongest weekly rally since October, easing about 1–2% to the $70K–$71K zone. The pullback came after a nearly 9% weekly gain, driven by ETF inflows worth roughly $700–800 million and easing geopolitical tensions where analysts say profit-taking and renewed risk-off sentiment triggered the cooldown despite strong underlying demand. 

What Investors Should Watch Next in the US Stock Market

  • Movement in crude oil above or below $100 per barrel
  • Updates on US-Iran diplomatic channels
  • Federal Reserve commentary on inflation outlook
  • Treasury yield direction amid risk-off flows
  • Bank earnings season impact on financial stocks

Top Gainers Today

Dow Jones Industrial Average (DJIA)

  • Salesforce (CRM) +3.26%
  • Intel (INTC) +2.20%
  • Microsoft (MSFT) +1.60%
  • IBM (IBM) +1.57%
  • UnitedHealth (UNH) +1.20%

Nasdaq Composite

  • Intuit (INTU) +3.36%
  • Adobe (ADBE) +3.08%
  • Intel (INTC) +2.28%
  • Vertex Pharmaceuticals (VRTX) +1.75%
  • Microsoft (MSFT) +1.62%

S&P 500

  • Oracle (ORCL) +5.61%
  • ServiceNow (NOW) +5.45%
  • Salesforce (CRM) +3.46%
  • Intuit (INTU) +3.36%
  • Adobe (ADBE) +3.08%

Top Losers Today

Dow Jones Industrial Average (DJIA)

  • Goldman Sachs (GS) -3.71%
  • Sherwin-Williams (SHW) -2.40%
  • Apple (AAPL) -1.39%
  • Home Depot (HD) -1.30%
  • Verizon (VZ) -1.00%

Nasdaq Composite

  • T-Mobile (TMUS) -2.16%
  • Micron Technology (MU) -1.75%
  • Analog Devices (ADI) -1.65%
  • Mondelez (MDLZ) -1.64%
  • Apple (AAPL) -1.42%

S&P 500

  • Goldman Sachs (GS) -4.04%
  • Sherwin-Williams (SHW) -2.67%
  • Target (TGT) -2.40%
  • T-Mobile (TMUS) -2.16%
  • Micron Technology (MU) -1.75%

FAQ’s: Stock Market Today Update

Q: Why did the Dow fall today?

A: The Dow dropped due to rising geopolitical tension after failed US-Iran talks and fears of oil supply disruption.

Q: Why is oil rising above $100?

A: Oil surged on fears of a blockade in the Strait of Hormuz, which is critical for global crude transport.

Q: Are US stocks still strong overall?

A: Yes, broader indices remain resilient, but volatility has increased due to geopolitical risks.

Q: Why is gold falling despite global tension?

A: A stronger US dollar and higher oil-driven inflation expectations are pressuring gold prices.

Q: What is driving Bitcoin movement?

A: Bitcoin is reacting to risk sentiment shifts and ETF inflows, but remains highly volatile.

Disclaimer: The information provided in this article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial advice. The Sunday Guardian suggests that readers consult with a certified financial advisor before making any investment or money-related decisions. The stock market involves significant risk.

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