As Stocks Keep Falling, Investors Are Losing Patience With the War in Iran

New York Times
by Joe Rennison
March 27, 2026
3 min read

Quick Insights

The Bottom Line

The S&P 500 is down for five consecutive weeks, its worst streak in four years, amid geopolitical tensions over Iran.

How This Affects You

Stock market losses erode retirement savings, 401(k) values, and investment portfolios for middle-class Americans with retirement holdings.

AI Summary

The S&P 500 is experiencing its fifth consecutive week of declines, marking its worst losing streak in approximately four years, as market volatility appears linked to geopolitical tensions surrounding Iran. Sustained stock market losses typically erode investor confidence and can trigger shifts in portfolio allocation as traders reassess risk exposure during periods of international conflict. The combination of economic uncertainty and military tensions historically pressures equities, particularly in sectors sensitive to oil prices and defense spending. Prolonged market weakness can influence consumer and business sentiment, potentially rippling through broader economic activity if the sell-off continues. Investors facing consecutive weekly losses often reassess their appetite for holding positions during protracted geopolitical crises.

Source Coverage Map

20 of 43 tracked sources covered this story

47% coverage
Did Not Cover (23)
ICIJ97AP US News96ProPublica95Bellingcat95PBS NewsHour94+18 more

Following this story?

Get notified when new coverage appears

Other Sources Covering This Story

5 sources

Multiple outlets have reported on this story. Compare perspectives from different sources.

Should this be getting more attention?

You Might Have Missed

Related stories from different sources and perspectives

News Wrap: Pro-Iranian group claims it hacked Kash Patel's email account
National Security

News Wrap: Pro-Iranian group claims it hacked Kash Patel's email account

In our news wrap Friday, a pro-Iranian and pro-Palestinian hacking group claims it breached an email account belonging to FBI Director Kash Patel, lawyers representing Fulton County asked a federal court to order the FBI to return 2020 election ballots and records seized in a January raid and stocks closed out their worst week since the Iran war began, the fifth straight losing week.

PBS NewsHourMar 27
Dollar regains ground as investors remain cautious about end to Iran war - Reuters
Finance

Dollar regains ground as investors remain cautious about end to Iran war - Reuters

<a href="https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMitAFBVV95cUxOa2hRcnZDZGZHaHhLX0NDN2VOVVdJZGVEcy0tNHFsMUlWckxNNTdGbllreGctcm55SGY3OFZKekJpWTFLeHlOckFibkpDRGw3QjRSOW9sczhuenJ0Qm40aU5jZzVweU00SDFwNkxZUkJpdUFpbWJLTUtzVjZXYVNDT1NCbmFYNm5MVVNNR3F5STUzTDZrZjFIdlRxaEpUTUJlRnN6WGRPRWhHcVpyeHdlSkNaRlQ?oc=5" target="_blank">Dollar stands tall as markets turn cautious on Middle East war</a>&nbsp;&nbsp;<font color="#6f6f6f">Reuters</font>

ReutersMar 24
War with Iran disrupts fertilizer exports as U.S. farmers prepare for planting season
Finance

War with Iran disrupts fertilizer exports as U.S. farmers prepare for planting season

Gulf states are major fertilizer producers, and the war with Iran has triggered a 25% price hike just as struggling U.S. farmers are planting corn.

NPRMar 26
Spiking gas prices tied to Iran war are set to eat up tax refunds touted by Trump - AP News
Politics

Spiking gas prices tied to Iran war are set to eat up tax refunds touted by Trump - AP News

<a href="https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMikgFBVV95cUxObFRXbllNSWtad1FzcEtFdVNRMzIwWW9DMzJxSnBMWkRUbjBjUGVhRG43VE9fUzlYNnRySVBKbDIyU1JsdVFCWTRXOEhsRmg5T2ZYR3FGV1UteDVCclo0UU5ZdmZBc1ZHQkpTcFNjUEpTNURJY2FzXy1xOUhsZUQxa2Q0WGdQc19YcEgwOWhoVW1oQQ?oc=5" target="_blank">Spiking gas prices tied to Iran war are set to eat up tax refunds touted by Trump</a>&nbsp;&nbsp;<font color="#6f6f6f">AP News</font>

AP NewsMar 22
Treasury's Bessent says US has 'plenty' of funds for Iran war - Reuters
National Security

Treasury's Bessent says US has 'plenty' of funds for Iran war - Reuters

<a href="https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMipgFBVV95cUxPRUtRR0JwcGR3QVZ5SHp0NkFYbWc3SU5JblBISmtfNTF5Slhva1dSWFZSWDdIelVNR2VmZ01VU2FfTURUbXU3d2JURktmRExqSVlaS3N3XzF4SzNndjJ0Z1NNQWZJbFlXT3ZPSm9lNlpmRXYzU2hrRmJlYjM5N0pQXzg0Uktzck1fWVBOY0E1NDk2bjVpbXlJM0hWVFVlSE0tcTkycmdn?oc=5" target="_blank">Treasury's Bessent says US has 'plenty' of funds for Iran war</a>&nbsp;&nbsp;<font color="#6f6f6f">Reuters</font>

ReutersMar 22
‘Extremely ugly’: Maga media figures squabble among themselves over Trump’s Iran war
Politics

‘Extremely ugly’: Maga media figures squabble among themselves over Trump’s Iran war

<p>Though the majority of the president’s base backs the war, a schism has developed among Trump-touting media stars</p><p>When the histories of the <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/us-israel-war-on-iran">Iran war</a> and <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/donaldtrump">Donald Trump</a>’s “Make America great again” (Maga) movement are written, there may be a special place for the words of former US congresswoman <a href="https://x.com/mtgreenee/status/2033523572228952562">Marjorie Taylor Greene</a>: “I wholeheartedly support Megyn Kelly telling the world that Mark Levin has a micropenis.”</p><p>Greene’s social media post summed up how the media stars of the Trump coalition <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2026/03/17/us/politics/iran-war-trump-conservative-divide-israel.html">have turned on each other</a> in a ferocious, bitter and – sometimes – vulgar brawl. Figures such as Kelly, Levin, Tucker Carlson, Laura Loomer, Candace Owens and Ben Shapiro have clashed over...

The Guardian US NewsMar 22
Read Next
War with Iran disrupts fertilizer exports as U.S. farmers prepare for planting season
Finance

War with Iran disrupts fertilizer exports as U.S. farmers prepare for planting season

Gulf states are major fertilizer producers, and the war with Iran has triggered a 25% price hike just as struggling U.S. farmers are planting corn.

Continue reading

Did this story change how you see things?

Stories like this only matter when people see them. Help us get verified journalism in front of more eyes.

Share this story

Get the daily digest

Save for later

The Verity Ledger curates verified investigative journalism from trusted sources only.

See our sources