US stock market today Dow Jones crash 800 points: The US stock market today witnessed a sharp sell-off as investors reacted to surging oil prices and rising geopolitical tensions in the Middle East. The Dow Jones crash of nearly 800 points sent shockwaves through Wall Street and global financial markets. The Dow Jones Industrial Average fell to 47,993.41, down 746 points or 1.53%, reflecting broad investor anxiety. The S&P 500 dropped 54.67 points to 6,814.83 (-0.80%), while the Nasdaq Composite slipped 109.82 points to 22,697.67 (-0.48%).
The market drop came as oil prices surged sharply, triggered by escalating tensions in the Persian Gulf and disruption in the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world’s most important oil shipping routes. Brent crude climbed above $80–$84 per barrel, while US West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude surged more than 5% to about $78.82–$79 per barrel, its highest level since June 2025. The disruption has trapped thousands of vessels in the Persian Gulf and forced Gulf oil producers to slash output while Asian refiners scramble for alternative supply.
Not every stock fell. Berkshire Hathaway rose more than 1% after disclosing it resumed share buybacks for the first time since 2024. CEO Greg Abel personally bought $15 million worth of stock — a strong insider confidence signal. Broadcom surged 5%. NVIDIA edged up 0.5%, showing the AI trade retains a floor even in broad selloffs.
Trade Desk was the session’s biggest surprise, jumping 19.4% on a blowout earnings report. Palladyne AI soared 28%, continuing a high-momentum run in AI infrastructure stocks.
On the losing side, Plug Power fell nearly 5%. Rising Treasury yields make its long-duration cash flows less valuable, and a renewed oil focus could slow clean-energy policy momentum.
Rising energy prices have also pushed US Treasury yields higher for the fourth straight day, creating fresh doubts about whether the Federal Reserve will cut interest rates soon. Markets now face a volatile mix of geopolitical risk, inflation pressure from energy, and uncertainty ahead of the highly anticipated US monthly jobs report on Friday.
At the same time, corporate earnings remain in focus, with Costco and Marvell Technology scheduled to release results after the close, giving investors additional clues about the strength of consumer demand and technology spending.
US stock market today Dow Jones crash 800 points as Wall Street reacts to Middle East conflict and oil price surge
The Dow Jones crash today reflects how quickly geopolitical events can move global markets. Escalating conflict in the Middle East spread to more countries and raised fears of disruptions to energy supply. The situation worsened after reports that Iran struck an oil tanker with a missile, intensifying concerns about shipping safety in the region.
The Strait of Hormuz, which connects the Persian Gulf to global shipping routes, handles roughly 20% of the world’s daily oil and liquefied natural gas supply. With tanker traffic disrupted and ships stranded, traders immediately priced in the risk of supply shortages.
Oil markets reacted sharply. West Texas Intermediate crude futures jumped about 6% to $78.82 per barrel, while Brent crude futures traded above $80 and at times near $84 per barrel. Higher oil prices typically increase inflation pressure and reduce the chances of rapid interest-rate cuts, which is why equity markets reacted negatively.
The energy shock has now rippled across global financial markets. Investors are worried that prolonged supply disruption could slow economic growth while keeping inflation elevated.
Dow Jones, S&P 500 and Nasdaq fall sharply as investors pull back from risk assets
Major US indices ended the day deep in negative territory as investors shifted away from riskier assets. The Dow Jones Industrial Average dropped roughly 800 points, dragged lower by major industrial and financial companies.
Stocks such as Caterpillar and Goldman Sachs weighed heavily on the Dow. These companies often act as economic barometers, so their declines reinforced concerns about global growth.
The S&P 500 declined around 0.9%, showing broad weakness across multiple sectors. Meanwhile, the Nasdaq Composite slipped roughly 0.6%, a smaller decline compared with other indices because technology stocks remained relatively resilient.
The downturn came just one day after a brief recovery rally. In the previous trading session, technology and semiconductor companies pushed markets higher, helping the Dow snap a three-day losing streak. However, fresh geopolitical developments quickly erased that momentum.
Oil prices jump to 2025 highs as Strait of Hormuz disruption threatens global energy supply
Energy markets remain the main driver behind the US stock market volatility today. Supply fears surged after reports of missile strikes on oil tankers and damage to infrastructure in the Persian Gulf.
West Texas Intermediate crude futures traded near $78.82 per barrel, marking a jump of about $4.16 or 5.57% on the day. The 52-week trading range for WTI sits between $54.98 and $78.82, highlighting how rapidly prices have climbed.
Meanwhile, Brent crude traded around $80.01 per barrel, up $2 or 2.56%, with a yearly range between $58.39 and $81.80. Brent remains the key international benchmark used by many global oil producers.
Even natural gas prices moved slightly higher, with futures trading near $2.92, up 0.17%. Energy markets remain extremely sensitive because the Strait of Hormuz is responsible for transporting millions of barrels of oil every day.
Although former President Donald Trump announced plans for US naval escorts and risk insurance for ships crossing the Strait, ongoing attacks on tankers and infrastructure continue to keep traders nervous.
Today’s hot stocks: Nvidia, Broadcom, Trade Desk and Intel see heavy trading activity
Despite the broader US stock market crash today, several stocks recorded significant trading activity.
Nvidia (NVDA) traded around $183.89, gaining 0.46%, with massive trading volume of about 55 million shares. The AI chip leader continues to attract strong investor interest despite overall market volatility.
Trade Desk (TTD) emerged as one of the biggest gainers. The stock surged 19.43% to $30.06, with roughly 43 million shares traded, reflecting strong buying momentum.
Broadcom (AVGO) also performed strongly. The semiconductor giant climbed 5.05% to $333.57, supported by continued demand for AI infrastructure and data-center technology.
Other heavily traded stocks included Intel (INTC), which gained 0.72% to $45.91, and SoFi Technologies (SOFI), which rose 1.68% to $19.02.
However, several stocks moved lower. Plug Power (PLUG) fell 4.77% to $2.36, while American Airlines (AAL) dropped 4.61% to $11.88, reflecting concerns that rising oil prices could increase airline fuel costs. Ford Motor (F) also slipped 2.07% to $12.54.
Berkshire Hathaway rises as share buybacks and insider buying boost investor confidence
Amid the broader market decline, Berkshire Hathaway shares stood out as a rare bright spot. Both Class A and Class B shares gained more than 1% during the session.
The rise came after the conglomerate revealed that it had resumed share buybacks for the first time since 2024. Share repurchases often signal that company leadership believes the stock is undervalued.
Investor sentiment improved further after CEO Greg Abel personally purchased about $15 million worth of Berkshire Hathaway shares. Insider buying often sends a strong signal to markets that executives expect long-term growth.
Looking ahead, investors are focusing on several key catalysts that could shape the US stock market outlook in the coming days.
First, markets are closely watching whether oil tankers can safely resume shipping through the Strait of Hormuz. If shipments restart smoothly, oil prices could stabilize and reduce pressure on equities.
Second, the US monthly jobs report due Friday will provide fresh insight into the health of the labor market. Strong employment data could reassure investors that the US economy remains resilient despite geopolitical shocks.
Third, corporate earnings continue to influence sentiment. Costco and Marvell Technology will report quarterly results after the market closes, offering clues about consumer spending and semiconductor demand.