Stock market today: Dow, S&P 500, Nasdaq slip amid fresh inflation data, continued Iran fallout

Group 1: Market Overview - US stocks experienced a split at the opening bell, with the Nasdaq Composite down 0.2%, the S&P 500 down 0.4%, and the Dow Jones Industrial Average dropping 0.9%, or over 400 points [1] - Concerns regarding the Iran war have led to increased volatility in the oil market, impacting stock performance [2] Group 2: Oil Market Dynamics - Crude oil prices rose due to reports of attacks on three vessels in the Strait of Hormuz, with West Texas Intermediate trading above $85 per barrel and Brent crude above $90 per barrel [2] - The International Energy Agency announced a historic release of 400 million barrels of oil from reserves to mitigate supply issues and curb rising oil prices, which had briefly approached $120 per barrel [3] Group 3: Inflation Insights - The Consumer Price Index for February indicated a 0.3% increase in consumer prices month-over-month and a 2.4% increase year-over-year, aligning with market expectations [4] - The upcoming Personal Consumption Expenditures index is anticipated to provide further insights into inflation trends and the overall health of the US economy [4][5] Group 4: Company Performance - Oracle shares surged over 10% following a positive earnings report and optimistic outlook, indicating strong performance in the tech sector [5]