U.S. Stocks Open Higher Amid Economic Data

U.S. stock markets opened higher on Friday, March 13, 2026, with the Dow Jones Industrial Average, S&P 500, and Nasdaq Composite all posting gains. This upward movement occurred despite revised fourth-quarter GDP figures and mixed PCE inflation data, alongside fluctuating oil prices influenced by geopolitical tensions.

The Dow Jones Industrial Average rose 0.7%, the S&P 500 increased by 0.5%, and the Nasdaq Composite gained 0.5%. This market performance followed the Bureau of Economic Analysis's downward revision of fourth-quarter gross domestic product, which subsequently lowered bond yields and increased expectations for potential interest rate cuts later in the year. The Personal Consumption Expenditures (PCE) price index for January showed a headline annual increase of 2.8%, below expectations, while the core PCE, a Federal Reserve preferred metric, rose 3.1%, exceeding the 2.9% forecast.

Oil prices experienced volatility, with West Texas Intermediate crude futures declining 2% to $93.69 per barrel and Brent crude falling 1.4% to $99.07 per barrel. These declines followed earlier surges in the week, where prices had crossed $100 per barrel, driven by concerns over the ongoing conflict in Iran and its potential impact on global supply. The market's reaction suggests a complex interplay between economic indicators, monetary policy expectations, and geopolitical developments.