Stock Market Losses Grow As Russia-Ukraine Tensions Reach A ‘Crucial Moment’

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Topline

Markets plunged yet again on Thursday as top federal officials warned that tensions between Russia and Ukraine had reached a “crucial moment” with an invasion likely “imminent,” leading nervous investors to dump stocks and turn to safe-haven assets.

Market volatility surged as Biden warned of a Russian invasion of Ukraine in the “next several … [+] days.”

Andrew Marienko/ASSOCIATED PRESS

Key Facts

Stocks are extending their losses amid more bad news from the Russia-Ukraine border: The Dow Jones Industrial Average fell 1.2%, over 400 points, while the S&P 500 lost 1.3% and the tech-heavy Nasdaq Composite 1.6%.

The U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations warned that the conflict had reached a “crucial moment” on Thursday morning after Ukraine accused pro-Russian separatists of attacking a village near the border.

President Joe Biden, meanwhile, told reporters that “every indication” points to Russia invading Ukraine in the “next several days,” with evidence pointing to more military buildup, not de-escalation, near the border.

Thursday’s ensuing sell-off was widespread—hitting nearly all S&P 500 sectors, with financials and tech shares leading the declines and investors turning to safe-haven assets like Gold.

Investors also digested a slew of corporate earnings reports: Shares of Palantir fell more than 10% after lackluster quarterly profits, while Nvidia’s stock dropped 8% on lower-than-expected margin guidance.

Shares of Walmart rose nearly 2% after topping expectations, Cisco jumped 4% after raising its financial guidance and DoorDash saw its stock surge 11% after posting record order numbers.

Tangent:

Oil prices have been rising amid the heightened Russia-Ukraine tensions recently, though they fell slightly on Thursday, down just over 2%. The price of Brent crude oil still sits at above $90 per barrel.

Crucial Quote:

“Stocks are on edge” and the broad selling has spared few areas of the market, says Vital Knowledge founder Adam Crisafulli. “The situation in Russia/Ukraine is re-escalating as Moscow continues to lay the groundwork for the potential absorption of the Donbas breakaway region (or the recognition of that region as an independent state).”

What To Watch For:

In addition to Russia-Ukraine tensions weighing on markets, investors should “remain cautious given the inflation problem facing the Fed,” which is “between a rock and a hard place,” says Chris Zaccarelli, chief investment Officer for Independent Advisor Alliance. “If they tighten economic conditions too quickly, by raising interest rates and reducing the size of their balance sheet, then they risk market turmoil and a slowing of economic growth.”