Oil Surge, Weak Jobs Hit Dow as Markets Extend Weekly Slump

U.S. equities opened lower as oil prices climbed amid Middle East tensions and February jobs data disappointed, with the Dow down about 676 points (roughly 1.4%), the S&P 500 and Nasdaq also retreating. Oil benchmarks jumped, pushing energy costs higher and stoking inflation concerns. The cramped jobs data showed 92,000 payrolls lost in February with the unemployment rate ticking up to 4.4%, while Treasuries sold off and the dollar firmed as investors reassessed the Fed’s policy path.