- Stocks fell, capping the worst week since the pandemic roiled markets, with tech shares bearing the brunt of the selloff due to shaky company earnings and the prospect of higher interest rates in the United States.
- For the first time since 2020, the S&P 500 closed below its 200-day moving average, a key technical level. The tech-heavy Nasdaq 100 fell the most among major benchmarks on Friday, led by a more than 20% drop in Netflix shares.
- Bitcoin fell in an extended cryptocurrency selloff, briefly falling below $38,000, its lowest level in more than five months.
- The volatility that has gripped markets this month showed no signs of abating on Friday, with the S&P 500 falling for a fourth day, extending losses for the week to 5.7% for the worst, albeit shortened, week since March 2020. More than $3 trillion in option expirations contributed to market turbulence.
- So far, the earnings season in the United States has been uneven, highlighting the risk that it will fail to enliven animal spirits in the stock market. While Netflix's disappointing subscriber outlook sent its stock plummeting, Peloton Interactive suggested it was poised to rebound after the stay-at-home trade darling was hit by a report of temporary production halts.
- Markets are also bracing for the Federal Reserve to raise interest rates. According to economists polled by a major newswire, policymakers will raise interest rates in March for the first time in more than three years, followed by a reduction in the balance sheet.
- Geopolitical tensions are also causing concern. A report that Washington is allowing some Baltic states to send US-made weapons to Ukraine has heightened fears of a conflict with Russia.
- The 10-year treasury yield fell more than 10 basis points in three days to 1.75%, leaving the rate lower for the week and the first decline in five weeks.
- Volatility indexes are pricing more turbulence in the short term than in the long term as a result of the equity market selloff.
