Thursday, March 5, 2026

The market witnessed a decline on March 5, 2026, with the S&P 500 index falling 0.56%, the Nasdaq composite dropping 0.26%, and the Dow Jones Industrial Average plummeting 1.61%. This bearish sentiment was driven by concerns over the escalating US-Israel war with Iran, which led to a surge in oil and gas prices, fuelling inflation fears. The market’s overall mood was pessimistic, with investors opting for caution in the face of uncertainty.

Sector-wise, the energy sector was a notable exception, rising 0.52% as oil prices surged. Technology and consumer discretionary sectors also managed to eke out gains, increasing 0.24% and 0.14%, respectively. In contrast, consumer staples, materials, and industrial sectors lagged behind, declining 2.01%, 2.10%, and 2.22%, respectively. Among individual stocks, Booking Holdings (BKNG) led the pack with an 8.5% gain, while United Parcel Service (UPS) fell 5.8%. Now Inc. (NOW) also saw its shares rise 5.7% on the day.