S&P 500 Down 6.96% Year-to-Date as Oil Prices Dominate Over Slowing Economy Fears
• The S&P 500 index has declined 6.96% year-to-date through early April 2026, with the S&P 500 Growth Index dropping a steeper 11.11% amid shifting investor focus. • Investment managers adopted defensive postures by buying U.S. Treasury bonds as economic slowdown signals emerged, though rising oil prices took center stage. • Gold, silver, and bitcoin prices fell while crude surges from Iran conflict and distribution chokepoints overshadowed traditional safe-haven demand.
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