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Dow Jones Drops Over 250 Points for Fifth Session as Energy and Tech Sectors Rise on Higher Oil Prices

U.S. stocks closed mostly lower on Wednesday, with the Dow Jones index dropping more than 250 points and marking its fifth consecutive decline. Crude prices rose during the session, while economic data showed increases in wholesale inventories and durable goods orders. The CNN Money Fear and Greed index remained in the Greed zone with minimal change.

Benzinga
1 source·Apr 30, 7:13 AM(29 days ago)·1m read|
Dow Jones Drops Over 250 Points for Fifth Session as Energy and Tech Sectors Rise on Higher Oil Pricesraskmedia.com.au
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U.S. stocks settled mostly lower on Wednesday, with the Dow Jones index falling more than 250 points during the session and recording losses for the fifth straight session, Benzinga reported. 81 on Wednesday.

24 during the session. Most sectors on the S&P 500 closed on a negative note on Wednesday, with utilities stocks recording losses. Materials stocks also recorded losses on Wednesday, and health care stocks followed suit with declines.

However, information technology stocks closed higher on Wednesday, bucking the broader trend. Energy stocks also closed higher on Wednesday, supported by rising crude prices. Crude prices rose on Wednesday, amid renewed concerns over disruptions in the Hormuz region, according to Benzinga.

Automatic Data Processing reported better-than-expected third-quarter financial results on Wednesday. Brinker International reported upbeat third-quarter earnings on Wednesday. S. 9% gain in February.

5 billion in the previous month. Market estimates for the goods deficit were an $87 billion gap in March. 2% decline in the previous month.

The CNN Money Fear and Greed index showed almost no change on Wednesday, remaining in the Greed zone. 7.

Key Facts

Dow Jones decline
The Dow Jones index fell more than 250 points, closing at 48,861.81, marking fifth straight session of losses.
Sector performance
Most S&P 500 sectors closed negative, with utilities, materials, and health care recording losses, while IT and energy gained.
Economic data
Wholesale inventories rose 1.4% in March to $932.8 billion; goods deficit widened to $87.9 billion; durable goods orders up 0.8% to $318.9 billion.
Oil prices
Crude prices rose on Wednesday.
Fear and Greed index
Index remained in Greed zone at 63.6, nearly unchanged from 63.7.
us-stock-marketdow-jones-declineoil-priceseconomic-datasector-performancefear-and-greed-index

Story Timeline

6 events
  1. 2026-04-29

    U.S. stocks settled mostly lower, with Dow Jones falling over 250 points for fifth straight session.

    1 sourceBenzinga
  2. 2026-04-29

    Crude prices rose amid Hormuz disruption concerns.

    1 sourceBenzinga
  3. 2026-04-29

    Automatic Data Processing and Brinker International reported positive Q3 earnings.

    1 sourceBenzinga
  4. 2026-03-31

    U.S. wholesale inventories rose 1.4% to $932.8 billion in March.

    1 sourceBenzinga
  5. 2026-03-31

    Goods deficit increased to $87.9 billion in March.

    1 sourceBenzinga
  6. 2026-03-31

    Durable goods orders increased 0.8% to $318.9 billion in March.

    1 sourceBenzinga

Potential Impact

  1. 01

    Rising oil prices could support energy sector gains amid broader market weakness.

  2. 02

    Positive earnings from ADP and Brinker may bolster specific stock performances.

  3. 03

    Increased goods deficit might signal trade imbalances affecting future economic reports.

Transparency Panel

Sources cross-referenced1
Framing risk0/100 (low)
Confidence score55%
Synthesized bySubstrate AI
Word count178 words
PublishedApr 30, 2026, 7:13 AM
Bias signals removed2 across 2 outlets
Signal Breakdown
Loaded 1Speculative 1
Original Sources
BenzingaDow Tumbles Over 250 Points As Oil Prices Rally: Fear Index Remains In 'Greed' Zone

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