Stocks tumble as Wall Street nears longest losing streak in nearly 4 years

U.S. stock markets are declining sharply, heading toward their fifth consecutive weekly loss—the longest losing streak in nearly four years. Oil prices are rising and mixed signals surrounding Iran have sparked investor concerns about both inflation and economic growth. The dual pressure from energy costs and geopolitical uncertainty is rattling Wall Street, which fears stagflation—a combination of rising prices and slowing economic activity. This pullback erases recent market gains and signals growing apprehension among traders about the economic outlook. The streak reflects broader anxiety over how global tensions and commodity prices could constrain consumer spending and corporate profitability.