Major U.S. stock indexes retreated Thursday as renewed escalation in the U.S.-Israel conflict with Iran drove oil prices higher, stoking fresh investor concerns over energy costs, inflation risks, and global growth headwinds.

The Dow Jones Industrial Average declined about 350 points, or 0.75%, to trade around 47,450 during midday action, after touching lows near 47,300 earlier. The S&P 500 slipped roughly 0.6% to hover near 6,420, while the Nasdaq Composite eased 0.4% into the low 22,000s, paring some initial drops but holding negative amid broad risk aversion.

Prior Session Rebound

This pullback largely offset Wednesday’s recovery, when the Dow added around 220 points, or 0.47%, closing near 47,800 to end a short two-day skid. The S&P 500 climbed 0.7% to about 6,460, and the Nasdaq rose 1.1% toward 22,200, supported by a brief oil pullback and economic prints that bolstered hopes for Federal Reserve rate-cut flexibility.

Oil and Geopolitical Driver

Thursday’s downturn linked straight to Middle East flare-ups, with the conflict hitting day six amid Iranian warnings on Strait of Hormuz shipping. No full tanker halts materialized, but reports of delayed transits and spiking insurance rates propelled crude futures up 3-4%, pressuring industrials and consumer stocks while lifting energy shares modestly.

Volatility Gauge

Traders adjusted after midweek bets on U.S. naval protection or quiet diplomacy lost steam against blockade rhetoric. The CBOE Volatility Index (VIX) stayed above 18, down from prior spikes near 22, reflecting ongoing caution short of outright fear.

Sector Rotations

Defensive positioning dominated. Cyclicals like industrials and materials weighed on the Dow, as firms sensitive to fuel costs faced headwinds. Tech megacaps provided some ballast but couldn’t stem overall declines. The Russell 2000 fell 0.9%, prolonging its choppy run.

Inflation Policy Risks

Beyond stocks, oil’s advance—with WTI approaching $76 and Brent in the low $80s from recent sessions—revived inflation worries, potentially crimping the Fed’s easing cycle. Policymakers have highlighted energy as a key monitor, with sustained crude jumps risking a shift from rate cuts if price pressures build.

Earnings and Corporate Snapshot

Mixed corporate signals emerged as earnings tapered off. Energy outfits gained on higher realizations, while defense names saw mild bids from tensions. Consumer discretionary trailed amid pump-price strains, and clean energy stayed tentative despite niche spotlight.

Economic Calendar Ahead

Focus sharpened on Friday’s data, led by nonfarm payrolls to test labor strength. Jobless claims, Challenger cuts, and trade prices could also sway views, with forecasts for 160,000-180,000 jobs and steady 4.1% unemployment.

Weekly Volatility Context

The week’s swings spotlight headline sensitivity. The Dow dropped roughly 600 points across three prior sessions before Wednesday’s lift, mirroring rapid responses to Iran news. History shows events like the 2022 Ukraine crisis often yield short dips followed by rebounds without major disruptions.

Hormuz Stakes

This round stands apart due to the Strait’s role in 20% of world oil. Banks like Goldman Sachs lifted short-term WTI outlooks to the high $70s on risk overlays, without extreme calls. Extended strains could pinch profits, spending, and the S&P 500’s 8-10% year-to-date rise.

Bond and Haven Moves

Yields edged up, with the 10-year Treasury near 4.05% versus recent sub-4% dips, as inflation tempered cut bets. Gold held above $2,700 an ounce for safety, while bitcoin eased under $95,000 with risk peers.

Volume and Flows

Energy rose 1.5-2%, financials mixed, utilities cushioned losses. Volumes swelled 15-20% over norms, heavy in futures and hedges.

Retail Tie-In

GameStop traded flat near $24, propped by cash and buyout talk per separate reports, as retail broadly eyed cost squeezes.

Technical Outlook

Volatility persists ahead. De-escalation hints might spark snaps higher; Hormuz flares could extend weakness. S&P support eyes 6,350-6,400, resistance 6,500 in its oil-shadowed monthly band.

Year-to-Date Backdrop

From early-2026 S&P lows near 6,000, indexes built on AI momentum and cuts but now grapple war overlays. National gas averages near $3.15 per AAA erode purchasing power.

Sector Winner-Loser Balance

Producers thrive, but airlines, logistics, and makers suffer. Refiners gain on spreads; chemicals cite costs. Europe’s Stoxx 600 (-0.8%) and Japan’s Nikkei (-1.2%) synced lower.

Trading Close Notes

Afternoon action steadied sans breakout, volumes hinting defense. Payrolls and diplomacy loom for Friday.

Historical Precedent

This dip aligns with shock absorption patterns, banking U.S. production buffers. Oil momentum and Hormuz watch keep nerves taut.

President Trump’s team signals energy security focus, possibly tapping reserves, layering policy angles. Fuel impacts heighten voter awareness.

Amazon is continuing its workforce reductions, cutting at least 100 white-collar jobs in its robotics unit this week, according to a new report.

The affected division designs robots and other automation systems used primarily in Amazon warehouses, two people familiar with the matter told Reuters.

“We regularly review our organizations to make sure teams are best set up to innovate and deliver for our customers,” Amazon said in a statement without specifying the number of jobs cut.

DESPITE POSTING RECORD REVENUE YEAR ACROSS ALL DIVISIONS

The move adds to a series of large-scale layoffs announced over the past year. (Jason Redmond/AFP via Getty Images)

The move adds to a series of large-scale layoffs announced over the past year. In January, the company cut around 16,000 jobs and signaled at the time that additional reductions could follow. 

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That same month, Amazon halted development of a robotic arm known as Blue Jay that it demonstrated at an event in October. Blue Jay featured multiple robotic arms that could grab several items at once and was designed to help workers in smaller spaces.

Amazon Proteus robots demonstrate autonomous navigation using barcodes on the floor during the Delivering the Future event at the Amazon Robotics Innovation Hub in Westborough, Mass., Nov. 10, 2022.  (M Scott Brauer/Bloomberg via Getty Images / Getty Images)

Beginning with a round of about 14,000 white-collar layoffs in October, Amazon has eliminated roughly 30,000 corporate roles, citing efficiency gains from artificial intelligence and broader cultural changes. The cuts represented nearly 10% of its white-collar workforce, though the majority of Amazon’s approximately 1.5 million employees are hourly workers, particularly in warehouses known as fulfillment centers.

The affected division designs robots and other automation systems used primarily in Amazon warehouses. (M Scott Brauer/Bloomberg via Getty Images)

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In addition to the broader cuts in October and January, Amazon over the past year has pared a smaller number of jobs in its devices and services, books, podcasts and public relations units, among others.

Cracker Barrel reported a drop in quarterly revenue and profit as the company continues to recover from last summer’s rebranding controversy, though CEO Julie Masino says early signs of a turnaround are beginning to emerge.

Speaking during the Tennessee-based restaurant and retail chain’s fiscal second-quarter 2026 earnings call on Wednesday, Masino said that the company is focused on strengthening operations, refining its menu and marketing strategy to better connect with customers, and reducing costs to improve profitability.

“We’re gaining traction and are encouraged by some important guest metrics and green shoots around traffic, and we’re energized in terms of driving improved performance,” Masino said.

Cracker Barrel posted second-quarter revenue of $874.8 million, down 7.9% from a year earlier. 

CRACKER BARREL RESPONDS TO REPORTS ABOUT EMPLOYEE DINING REQUIREMENTS DURING WORK TRAVEL

A Cracker Barrel sign hangs on the outside of a restaurant on Aug. 21, 2025, in Homestead, Florida. (Joe Raedle/Getty Images)

Comparable restaurant sales fell 7.1%, largely driven by a 10.1% drop in traffic, while comparable retail sales slid 9.2%, according to chief financial officer Craig Pommells.

Net income totaled $1.3 million, a sharp decrease from $22.2 million in the same quarter last year.

Despite the declines, results topped Wall Street expectations.

Masino highlighted improving employee turnover rates and a higher Google star rating as evidence that the company’s turnaround efforts are gaining traction.

CRACKER BARREL’S TURNAROUND HITS EARLY SNAGS; CEO WARNS RECOVERY WILL ‘TAKE TIME’ AFTER REBRAND FIASCO

A general view of a Cracker Barrel Country Store in Fishkill, NY, on Monday, August 25, 2025. (Richard Beetham for Fox News Digital)

“We view all of these metrics as important leading indicators and are confident that these gains will translate into improved traffic over time,” she said.

As part of its strategy to win back customers, Cracker Barrel has also reintroduced popular limited-time offerings, including Country Fried Turkey, and added new menu items such as a breakfast burger and Garden and Farmhouse Scrambles.

The company’s loyalty program now has more than 11 million members and accounts for over 40% of tracked sales. Masino said loyalty member traffic has held up better than nonmembers since August.

“We’re committed to operating with excellence, and we’re implementing actions to improve profitability, all to strengthen the business and to return to positive momentum,” Masino said.

CRACKER BARREL CO-FOUNDER SAYS CEO ‘KNOWS VERY LITTLE’ ABOUT THE COMPANY FOLLOWING $700M REBRAND FAILURE

Cracker Barrel CEO Julie Felss Masino walks out of a Starbucks in Nashville, Tennessee, on Aug. 28, 2025. (Zak Bennett for Fox News Digital)

The revenue slump follows backlash last summer after Cracker Barrel announced changes to its logo and store interiors, including removing the “old timer” from its branding. 

The company reversed course less than a week later after complaints from customers.

Masino has previously cautioned that the company’s recovery will take time.

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Cracker Barrel did not immediately respond to FOX Business’ request for comment.

FOX Business’ Eric Revell contributed to this report.

Alphabet Inc. shares dipped modestly in early U.S. trading Friday, reflecting broader market caution driven by surging oil prices and ongoing Middle East tensions, while investors continued to digest the company’s massive 2026 capital expenditure plans tied to artificial intelligence infrastructure.

Alphabet Class A shares (NASDAQ: GOOGL) were trading around $299.50 to $300.00 by mid-morning Eastern Time, down approximately 1.0% to 1.2% from Thursday’s close of $303.13. The stock opened near $302.50 to $303.00, with intraday action ranging from a low near $298.80 to a high of about $303.30. Volume approached 5 million to 10 million shares in early sessions, consistent with recent averages but below levels seen during high-volatility periods.

Alphabet Class C shares (NASDAQ: GOOG) moved similarly, trading near $300.00 to $300.50, down about 1.0% from the prior close around $303.45. The company’s combined market capitalization hovered near $3.65 trillion to $3.67 trillion, cementing its position among the world’s most valuable firms despite recent pullbacks.

The decline extended a pattern of consolidation after Alphabet reached multi-month highs earlier in 2026, with shares peaking near $349.00 in early February. Year-to-date performance remains positive but lags the broader S&P 500 amid concerns over heavy AI spending and competitive pressures in search and cloud computing. Over the past 12 months, GOOGL has gained significantly, up more than 70% from lows around $140 in early 2025, driven by strong revenue acceleration and AI advancements.

Recent momentum traces to Alphabet’s fourth-quarter earnings reported in early February, which beat expectations across key metrics. Revenue climbed 18% year-over-year to $113.8 billion, while adjusted earnings per share reached $2.82, surpassing consensus by about 7%. Google Cloud posted explosive 48% growth, underscoring its role as a major growth engine alongside core advertising.

Management’s guidance for 2026 capital expenditures—projected between $175 billion and $185 billion—sparked debate. The figure, roughly double 2025’s estimated $91 billion to $92 billion, prioritizes servers, data centers, and networking to support Gemini AI, cloud expansion, and other initiatives. Roughly 60% targets compute infrastructure, with the remainder for facilities.

Analysts view the spending as a bold bet on AI dominance but warn of near-term pressure on free cash flow and margins. Depreciation costs are expected to rise sharply, potentially compressing profitability even as revenue grows. Some forecasts suggest free cash flow could dip temporarily before rebounding, with optimistic scenarios projecting $55 billion to $72 billion annually in coming years if execution succeeds.

Bullish voices highlight Alphabet’s cash generation strength and positioning in AI. Google Cloud’s momentum, Gemini’s user growth beyond 750 million monthly actives, and advertising resilience provide tailwinds. Options activity has shown bullish tilt, with notable call volume at strikes near current levels for short-dated expirations, signaling trader bets on near-term recovery.

Yet challenges persist. Antitrust scrutiny, regulatory risks in multiple jurisdictions, and competition from OpenAI, Meta, and others in generative AI remain headwinds. Recent news highlighted partnerships like expanded Google Cloud collaborations with CVS Health and others, but also isolated incidents involving Waymo robotaxis and legal matters.

Broader market context amplified Friday’s softness. Oil’s surge amid Middle East conflict pressured growth stocks, with energy-sensitive sectors underperforming. The Dow and S&P 500 traded lower, while tech showed relative resilience but failed to buck the trend fully. The VIX stayed elevated, reflecting ongoing geopolitical unease.

Wall Street coverage leans positive, with consensus “Strong Buy” ratings and average price targets around $350 to $380, implying 15% to 25% upside from recent levels. Firms like Mizuho and Bank of America maintained bullish stances, citing AI opportunities despite capex concerns. Some analysts forecast potential re-rating if cloud and AI monetization accelerates.

Alphabet’s diversified revenue—advertising still dominant but cloud and other bets growing—offers resilience. Q1 earnings, expected late April, will provide updates on spending progress, Gemini adoption, and cloud margins.

For now, shares consolidate near $300 support, with traders eyeing macro developments and any AI-related catalysts. The stock’s valuation, at a forward P/E around 28, appears reasonable relative to growth prospects, though execution on capex remains key.

Investors monitor closely as Alphabet navigates AI investment phase amid volatile macro backdrop. Friday’s dip illustrates sensitivity to external risks, but fundamentals suggest long-term optimism for the tech giant.

Glen Akselrod
Bristol Capital Ltd.

The purpose of today’s presentation is to give our audience a better understanding of the business through a presentation and then questions with management. The presentation is going to be led by Raj Das Gupta, CEO, who is also joined on the call by John Gibson, CFO; and Jason Roy, VP of IR. If you’d like to get a copy of today’s presentation, simply e-mail me at glen@bristolir.com. We’ll break for questions at the end of the formal presentation. When we do break, we encourage those questions. And as a reminder, we’re only going to take questions through the webinar portal. If you’re listening over telephone, please access the web link sent earlier to ask a question.

You can submit a question using the text box within the portal at any time. I’ll ask the question on air for everyone to hear and Raj or John will answer. I’m not going to reference any names, but simply read the questions asked. And as we do have a very large audience today, if I can’t get to your question online and has not yet been addressed during the call and can’t be, I’ll come back to you by e-mail. I won’t read the forward-looking statements, but I do state that they apply, and I reference them on Page 2 of this presentation.

With that said, once again, thank you for joining us. Remember, this is fairly informal, and we do encourage questions to help you better understand the business and its growth path. And now I’ll turn the call over to