Business
Index Closes Lower Amid Geopolitical Tensions and Oil Volatility
The Dow Jones Industrial Average finished modestly lower on Friday, March 13, 2026, as investors grappled with escalating U.S.-Iran tensions, surging oil prices, and broader market concerns over inflation and economic stability. The blue-chip index closed at 46,558.47, down 119.38 points or 0.26%, capping a volatile week marked by three consecutive sessions of declines and the third straight weekly loss for major benchmarks.

Trading volume reached approximately 453.26 million shares, with the index fluctuating in a day’s range from 46,494.63 to 47,123.99. The performance reflected ongoing uncertainty in global energy markets following recent military developments in the Middle East, including U.S. strikes and a partial blockade affecting the Strait of Hormuz. Crude oil prices climbed, stoking fears of persistent inflation and prompting a flight to safety assets like the U.S. dollar.
The Dow’s retreat aligned with broader market weakness. The S&P 500 shed 0.61% to settle at 6,632.19, while the Nasdaq Composite dropped 0.93% to 22,105.36. Year-to-date, the Dow remains positive but has erased much of its earlier 2026 gains, trading well below January highs near 50,000. The index’s 52-week range spans 36,611.78 to 50,512.79, underscoring recent volatility.
Geopolitical factors dominated sentiment. Defense Secretary announcements of expanded strikes against Iranian targets intensified worries about prolonged conflict and supply disruptions. Oil’s ascent pressured energy-sensitive sectors, though some analysts noted potential benefits for U.S. producers like Chevron, which saw gains in prior sessions amid higher crude. Software and tech names led declines, with Salesforce down 3.25%, Apple off 2.15%, and Microsoft slipping 1.57%. On the upside, Boeing rose 2.56%, UnitedHealth gained 1.79%, and Verizon added 1.42%.
The week’s performance highlighted a shift in investor focus from earlier optimism — fueled by hints of de-escalation and oil pullbacks — to renewed caution. Earlier in March, the Dow had rallied on signals the conflict might resolve swiftly, erasing intraday losses and closing higher on select days. By mid-month, however, persistent energy volatility and disappointing economic data contributed to the pullback.
Analysts from CNBC, Investopedia, and Trading Economics pointed to stagflation risks, with high energy costs forcing repricing of Federal Reserve rate expectations. Despite weak Q4 GDP readings, bond yields climbed, hitting credit-sensitive areas hardest. The S&P 500 posted a 1.6% weekly loss, entering its first three-week losing streak in about a year, while the Dow fell roughly 2% over the period.
Market watchers noted sector rotation amid the turmoil. Defense and energy stocks showed relative strength in spots, while growth-oriented tech lagged. Adobe plunged sharply in recent sessions on guidance misses and leadership changes, amplifying Nasdaq pressure.
Looking ahead, markets eye next week’s data, including potential Fed signals and further geopolitical updates. Futures trading suggested continued choppiness, with E-mini Dow contracts reflecting the recent slide. The index’s price-weighted structure — emphasizing higher-priced components — amplified moves in stocks like UnitedHealth and Goldman Sachs during the week’s swings.
The Dow Jones Industrial Average, comprising 30 major U.S. companies across sectors (excluding transportation and utilities), serves as a key barometer of blue-chip performance. Maintained by S&P Dow Jones Indices, it remains a go-to gauge despite criticisms favoring broader measures like the S&P 500.
For investors, the current environment underscores diversification amid uncertainty. While the index hovers near 46,500, historical resilience suggests potential recovery if tensions ease or oil stabilizes. Traders monitor support levels around recent lows, with resistance near 47,000.
As of Sunday evening in Asia (markets closed for the weekend), no major after-hours developments altered the Friday close. Pre-market indications for Monday, March 16, will depend on weekend news from the Middle East and economic releases.
The Dow’s recent trajectory reflects broader 2026 themes: initial post-election optimism giving way to reality checks from global risks. With the year one-quarter complete, volatility persists as investors balance growth prospects against external shocks.
Whether the index rebounds or extends losses hinges on conflict resolution and energy dynamics. For now, caution prevails in equity markets.
Business
Norovirus outbreak sickens 153 on Star Princess cruise ship, CDC says
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More than 150 people onboard a Princess Cruises ship became ill with norovirus during a Caribbean voyage this week, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
The outbreak occurred aboard the Star Princess during a voyage from March 7 to March 14, according to the CDC’s Vessel Sanitation Program (VSP), which monitors illness on cruise ships.
Those reported sick included 104 passengers and 49 crew members — out of 4,307 passengers and 1,561 crew members in total, the CDC said.
The outbreak was reported to the VSP on March 11, less than a week after the voyage began.
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A Princess Cruises vessel, pictured here, at sea. (Princess Cruises / Fox News)
According to the CDC, the most commonly reported symptoms were diarrhea and vomiting, which are typical signs of norovirus infection.
In response to the outbreak, Princess Cruises increased cleaning and disinfection procedures, isolated sick passengers and crew members, and collected stool samples from ill individuals for testing, the CDC said.
GROUND STOP LIFTED AT MAJOR DC-AREA AIRPORTS AFTER CHEMICAL ODOR DISRUPTS AIR TRAFFIC CONTROL
Ship officials also consulted with CDC health officials about sanitation practices and reporting cases, according to the agency.

Closeup look of the Coral Princess at a port. (Princess Cruises / Fox News)
The VSP is conducting an environmental assessment and outbreak investigation to help the ship control the spread of the illness.
The tracking site CruiseMapper showed the vessel docked in Fort Lauderdale on Saturday before continuing its voyage. Its itinerary indicated the ship was scheduled to visit Princess Cays in the Bahamas later Sunday.
Norovirus is a highly contagious virus that commonly causes vomiting and diarrhea and can spread quickly in close quarters such as cruise ships, according to health officials.

FILE: A view of the sign of Center for Disease Control headquarters is seen in Atlanta, on Aug. 6, 2022. (Nathan Posner/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images / Getty Images)
The CDC notes that illness totals reported during a cruise represent the cumulative number of cases across the entire voyage — not necessarily people who were sick at the same time.
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Cruise ships are required to report gastrointestinal illness cases to the CDC, which tracks outbreaks and works with cruise lines to implement sanitation and containment measures when they occur.
FOX Business has reached out to Princess Cruises and the CDC for further comment.
Business
My 6-8% Yielding Money Machine Choices For Early Retirement
Samuel Smith has a diverse background that includes being lead analyst and Vice President at several highly regarded dividend stock research firms and running his own dividend investing YouTube channel. He is a Professional Engineer and Project Management Professional and holds a B.S. in Civil Engineering & Mathematics from the United States Military Academy at West Point and has a Masters in Engineering from Texas A&M with a focus on applied mathematics and machine learning.Samuel leads the High Yield Investor investing group. Samuel teams up with Jussi Askola and Paul R. Drake where they focus on finding the right balance between safety, growth, yield, and value. High Yield Investor offers real-money core, retirement, and international portfolios. The service also features regular trade alerts, educational content, and an active chat room of like-minded investors. Perspective: “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys, and where thieves do not break in or steal; for where your treasure is, there your heart will be also … For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world and forfeits his soul?” ~ Jesus (Matthew 6:19-21; 16:26)Learn more
Analyst’s Disclosure: I/we have a beneficial long position in the shares of MPLX either through stock ownership, options, or other derivatives. I wrote this article myself, and it expresses my own opinions. I am not receiving compensation for it (other than from Seeking Alpha). I have no business relationship with any company whose stock is mentioned in this article.
Seeking Alpha’s Disclosure: Past performance is no guarantee of future results. No recommendation or advice is being given as to whether any investment is suitable for a particular investor. Any views or opinions expressed above may not reflect those of Seeking Alpha as a whole. Seeking Alpha is not a licensed securities dealer, broker or US investment adviser or investment bank. Our analysts are third party authors that include both professional investors and individual investors who may not be licensed or certified by any institute or regulatory body.
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Leonardo DiCaprio Eyes Second Oscar as ‘One Battle After Another’ Leads Tight 2026 Race
With the 98th Academy Awards set for Sunday evening, Leonardo DiCaprio stands poised for a potential second Oscar win, a decade after claiming his first for “The Revenant.” The actor’s commanding performance in Paul Thomas Anderson’s “One Battle After Another” has positioned him as a serious contender in the Best Actor category amid one of the most unpredictable races in recent memory.

DiCaprio portrays Bob Ferguson, a burnt-out former revolutionary hiding off the grid while protecting his daughter amid threats from a ruthless colonel played by Sean Penn. The film, released Sept. 26, 2025, by Warner Bros., blends political thriller elements with intense character drama, drawing loose inspiration from Thomas Pynchon’s “Vineland.” It earned widespread critical acclaim for its timely exploration of extremism, authoritarianism and personal redemption, landing among the top-nominated films with strong showings in major categories.
Critics have hailed DiCaprio’s work as a “masterclass in veteran acting,” praising the subtle emotional layers he brings to a morally complex war journalist-turned-fugitive. Outlets like Variety and The Hollywood Reporter note strong Academy support for the performance, with voters frequently citing it as a plausible upset pick despite the film’s box-office underperformance compared to its predecessor, “Once Upon a Time in Hollywood.”
The Best Actor field remains fiercely competitive. Timothée Chalamet earned his third nomination for “Marty Supreme,” showcasing his range in a controversial ballet-centered role that made him the youngest three-time nominee since Marlon Brando. Michael B. Jordan surges with momentum from “Sinners,” which shattered nomination records with 16 nods and secured the cast award at the Actor Awards. Ethan Hawke (“Blue Moon”) and Wagner Moura (“The Secret Agent”) round out the nominees, each bringing formidable cases for their first wins.
Predictions vary widely. Some forecasters, including those at Variety and Deadline, see Jordan gaining late ground after his SAG win, while others highlight DiCaprio’s institutional advantage as a previous winner and consistent high-caliber performer. Rotten Tomatoes and Next Best Picture analyses place the race as unusually open, with no clear frontrunner dominating precursor awards. Betting markets reflect the volatility, with shifting odds among Chalamet, Jordan and DiCaprio.
DiCaprio’s campaign has faced logistical hurdles. He skipped the 2026 Actor Awards — formerly the SAG Awards — due to filming Martin Scorsese’s “What Happens at Night” in Europe alongside Jennifer Lawrence. Reports indicate he may also miss the Oscars ceremony for similar reasons, though speculation persists about a potential red-carpet appearance with girlfriend Vittoria Ceretti, marking their first joint major event.
“One Battle After Another” itself contends strongly for Best Picture, often ranked second behind “Sinners” in projections. Anderson’s direction earns praise for its radical epic scope and ensemble work, including Penn’s menacing supporting turn as Col. Steven J. Lockjaw. The film secured nominations across technical categories and screenplay, benefiting from its VistaVision and IMAX presentation that showcased Anderson’s ambitious vision.
Despite solid reviews and awards buzz, the movie’s theatrical run fell short of blockbuster expectations, a contrast to DiCaprio’s star-driven hits. Streaming availability on HBO Max since December 2025 broadened its reach, allowing more Academy voters to engage with the performance during the voting window.
DiCaprio’s Oscar history adds intrigue. His 2016 win ended a long nomination streak without victory, including nods for “The Wolf of Wall Street,” “The Aviator” and others. A second statue would place him among elite multi-winners, though the Academy has historically been selective about granting them. Analysts note that his “latter-day” mode — intense, transformative roles in auteur projects — aligns perfectly with Oscar tastes, yet the category’s youth movement and first-time winners could prove decisive.
The ceremony, hosted by Conan O’Brien at the Dolby Theatre, airs live on ABC and streams on Hulu. With “Sinners” leading nominations and potential for genre breakthroughs, the night promises drama across categories. DiCaprio’s absence from recent events has fueled questions about his attendance, but his work remains central to discussions.
As ballots finalize, the conversation around DiCaprio underscores his enduring status in Hollywood. Whether he claims a second Oscar or not, his contribution to “One Battle After Another” reinforces why he remains one of the industry’s most respected leading men.
Business
Investors await Fed rate outlook as Iran war keeps markets on edge

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A Crude Awakening | Seeking Alpha
Alex Pettee is President and Director of Research and ETFs at Hoya Capital. Hoya manages institutional and individual portfolios of publicly traded real estate securities.Alex leads the investing group iREIT®+HOYA Capital. The service features a team of analysts focusing on real income-producing asset classes that offer the opportunity for reliable income, diversification, and inflation hedging. Learn More.
Analyst’s Disclosure: I/we have a beneficial long position in the shares of RIET, HOMZ, IRET, ALL HOLDINGS IN THE IREIT+HOYA PORTFOLIOS either through stock ownership, options, or other derivatives. I wrote this article myself, and it expresses my own opinions. I am not receiving compensation for it (other than from Seeking Alpha). I have no business relationship with any company whose stock is mentioned in this article.
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