U.S. March Jobs Report and Economic Data to Test Market Resilience Amid Middle East War

• Autozi Internet Technology (Global) Ltd. (AZI) received a Nasdaq notification on March 29, 2026, for failing to meet the minimum market value of listed securities requirement. • The company has been given 180 days to regain compliance by achieving a market value of listed securities of at least $35 million for 10 consecutive trading days. • This compliance issue highlights ongoing challenges for smaller Nasdaq-listed firms amid market volatility and economic pressures.

• The S&P 500 has declined more than 7% year-to-date as the first quarter of 2026 approaches its close with two trading days remaining. • Market challenges have intensified due to economic uncertainty and global events impacting investor sentiment. • This downturn underscores broader concerns over growth prospects and potential shifts in Federal Reserve policy.

• The benchmark S&P 500 fell for a fifth consecutive week and is down more than 7% since U.S.-Israeli military strikes on Iran in late February. • Rising volatility and shifting rate expectations continue to pressure equity markets as geopolitical tensions compound economic uncertainties. • Market participants are reassessing expectations for Federal Reserve policy, with implications for growth stock valuations.

• Every Magnificent 7 stock has fallen into double-digit losses from 52-week highs, with Microsoft down roughly 32% from its October peak, marking its worst start to a year in history, as the group enters correction territory. • Oil prices surged following Operation Epic Fury beginning February 28, reigniting inflation expectations and shifting rate outlook; markets now price in greater likelihood of rate hikes by year-end rather than cuts. • Excitement around AI infrastructure spending has waned amid concerns over combined capital expenditures for Google, Microsoft, Amazon, and Meta expected to exceed $650 billion in 2026, up 60% from 2025.

• Financial advisors are recommending patience for investors amid extreme market swings, noting that historical data shows staying invested typically outperforms reactive selling during crises—even during wartime. • The S&P 500 has retreated to levels not seen since August 2025, with three major indexes all significantly below their recent peaks as geopolitical uncertainty continues to roil markets. • Investment strategists emphasize that while current volatility is unsettling, panic-driven decisions often lock in losses and can result in missed opportunities for recovery.

• The Nasdaq 100 and Dow Jones Industrial Average have both entered correction territory, defined as a more-than-10% decline from recent peaks, marking a significant milestone in the market downturn. • Tech stocks have been particularly hard hit, with Amazon dropping 3.1% and Meta Platforms falling 3.5%, as the sector faces pressure from both high valuation concerns and geopolitical tensions related to the Iran war. • The S&P 500 has suffered five consecutive weeks of losses—its longest losing streak in nearly four years—and is now 8.7% below its record set in early 2026.

• Crude oil prices have climbed to their highest levels since 2022, driven by geopolitical tensions from the ongoing Iran war and uncertainty over shipping through the Strait of Hormuz. • President Trump extended his self-imposed deadline to "obliterate" Iran's power plants to April 6, contingent on Iran allowing oil tankers to freely exit the Persian Gulf through the Strait of Hormuz. • The elevated oil prices are contributing to market volatility, with Wall Street experiencing daily fluctuations as investor sentiment shifts between hopes for war resolution and renewed concerns.

• Kyndryl Holdings, Inc. (NYSE: KD) announced an April 13, 2026, application deadline for class action lawsuits, with investors urged to contact Lewis Kahn, Esq. at Kahn Swick & Foti, LLC. • The notice follows concerns over potential securities issues, impacting shareholders amid broader market volatility. • This legal development adds pressure on the IT infrastructure services firm as Wall Street navigates geopolitical and economic risks.

• U.S. stocks deepened losses on Friday, with the S&P 500 falling 1.7% or 108.31 points to close at 6,368.85, marking its fifth straight losing week—the longest streak in nearly four years. • The Dow Jones Industrial Average dropped 793.47 points or 1.7% to 45,166.64, now more than 10% below its recent record, while the Nasdaq composite sank 459.72 points or 2.1% to 20,948.36. • Big Tech weighed heavily on the market, including drops of 3.1% for Amazon and 3.5% for Meta Platforms, amid ongoing volatility from geopolitical tensions.

• The U.S. economy faces 'real risk' of recession following four weeks of war in Iran, with major indexes like S&P 500, Dow, and Nasdaq down sharply and energy stocks up 25%. • Inflation pressures have driven 30-year fixed mortgage rates to 6.5%, up 0.5 points, while businesses cannot expect Federal Reserve rate cuts soon. • Stock portfolios and retirement accounts have suffered ugly losses, compounded by higher gas prices and persistent high interest rates.

• President Donald Trump extended his deadline for Iran to reopen the Strait of Hormuz by 10 days, pausing potential air strikes on power plants after closing the vital trade route. • Oil prices climbed higher due to Middle East conflict concerns, while Asian and European markets closed lower; US stocks ended Thursday down with Nasdaq in correction territory at 21,408.08. • ECB President Christine Lagarde warned equity markets are 'too optimistic' amid the 'real shock' in Iran, as Dow fell 1% to 45,960.11 and S&P 500 dropped 1.7% to 6,477.16.