Benchmark U.S. crude oil for May delivery rose $1.16to $86.59 per barrel Thursday. Brent crude for June delivery rose $1.30to $90.65 per barrel.
Wholesale gasoline for May delivery rose 3 centsto $2.79 a gallon. May heating oilrose 1 cent to $2.74 a gallon. May natural gas fell 7 cents to $1.77 per 1,000 cubic feet.
Dow’s worst day in a year follows talk of no rate cuts in 2024, oil-price spike
U.S. stocks closed sharply lower on Thursday on jitters about the Federal Reserve's ability to cut interest...
U.S. stocks closed sharply lower on Thursday on jitters about the Federal Reserve's ability to cut interest rates this year amid a backdrop of inflationary pressures, climbing oil prices, and a resilient economy.
The Dow Jones Industrial Averagefell 530.16 points, or 1.4%, to close at 38,596.98 — its worst daily percentage drop since March 22, 2023.
The S&P 500 Indexshed 64.28 points, or 1.2%, ending at 5,147.21.
The Nasdaq Composite Indexdropped 228.38 points, or 1.4%, finishing at 16,049.08.
Stocks gave up earlier gains to close sharply lower ahead of Friday's closely watched jobs report for March. Investors have been focused on how a resilient U.S. economy and inflationary pressures will guide the Fed's plans to cut interest rates this year.
As MarketWatch's William Watts wrote, a surprise to the monthly jobs report could further rattle investors.
The Dow now has fallen for four straight sessions, marking its worst such stretch since October, according to Dow Jones Market Data.
U.S. first-time unemployment claims climb to nine-week high
The numbers: The number of Americans who applied for...
The numbers: The number of Americans who applied for unemployment benefits last week rose to a nine-week high of 221,000. but they remained quite low and didn’t show any deterioration in the labor market.
Last week there were 212,000 unemployment filings, according to government figures. Economists polled by the Wall Street Journal had forecast new claims to total 213,000 in the seven days ending March 30, based on seasonally adjusted figures.
Jobless claims have hovered between 194,000 to 225,000 this year, a remarkably low level that attests to the strength of the labor market and broader economy.
Key details: New jobless claims fell in 32 of the 53 states and territories that report these figures to the federal government. Most of the declines were very small.
AI energy needs will boost natural gas, producers say
The energy required to...
The energy required to power artificial intelligence will exceed what renewable energy and batteries can provide, natural gas producers have said, making the case for fossil fuel supplies even as countries try to transition to green technology. The AI boom "will not be done without gas," said Toby Rice, chief executive of EQT, adding power demand has become a dynamic market.
Americans believe they need $1.46 million to retire in style
The new magic number for ...
The new magic number for retirement, found in a study by Northwestern Mutual, is 15% higher than what people thought they needed last year—and 53% higher than the amount people in 2020 pictured themselves needing to feel comfortable leaving the workforce to sit on a beach in Florida. It’s also more than most people have socked away: On average, US adults have $88,400 saved for retirement.