Stocks Plunge, Oil Prices Surge After Putin Orders Troops Into Eastern Ukraine

Topline

The stock market was down in volatile trading on Tuesday after Russian President Vladimir Putin ordered troops into two breakaway regions in eastern Ukraine, a move that was met with a new round of sanctions from the West, as some U.K. officials warned that “the invasion of Ukraine has begun.”

Key Facts

Stocks tanked amid rising tensions between Russia and Ukraine: The Dow Jones Industrial Average was down 1.3%, over 400 points, while the S&P 500 lost 1% and the tech-heavy Nasdaq Composite 1.4%.

Global stock markets took a hit after Russian President Vladimir Putin decided to recognize the separatist states of Donetsk and Luhansk in eastern Ukraine, ordering Russian troops to move into the region in order to “maintain peace.”

The move was widely condemned by the West, with the European Union and United Kingdom both unveiling economic sanctions against Russia on Tuesday, while the United States will reportedly release a new round of sanctions later in the day.

Many western officials continued to warn that Russian troops moving into eastern Ukraine to keep the “peace” could be a not so subtle pretext for a full invasion, with U.K. Health Minister Sajid Javid saying on Tuesday that “the invasion of Ukraine has begun.” 

Oil prices surged on the news, with Brent crude rising to more than $94 per barrel amid concerns that Russia’s energy exports could be disrupted.

Investors also digested a slew of corporate earnings: Shares of Home Depot fell over 5.5% after earnings, while Macy’s gained over 8% thanks to strong results as well as the announcement of a share buyback and dividend increase.

Crucial Quote:

“The Russia/Ukraine situation remains very fluid, and tensions remain high, and in the short term that will remain a headwind on stocks,” according to a recent note from Tom Essaye, founder of Sevens Report.

What To Watch For:

The conflict in Ukraine and subsequent market declines should not distract the Federal Reserve from hiking interest rates as it looks to combat surging inflation, Wharton finance professor Jeremy Siegel told CNBC. “It would be a big mistake if the crisis reduced the amount of tightening we need to control inflation,” he said, adding, “I think the Fed rate hike is 10 times as important as what’s going on in Russia right now.” Other Wall Street experts are similarly warning that if the Federal Reserve raises rates too quickly that could spark a sharp economic downturn, market turmoil and even the next recession.

Key Background:

Russia-Ukraine tensions have continued to weigh on markets, with all three major averages recently posting back-to-back weekly losses. The Dow fell 1.9% last week, while the S&P 500 lost 1.6% and the Nasdaq 1.8%. 

Further Reading:

Stocks Fall For Second Week In A Row As Russia-Ukraine Tensions Weigh On Markets (Forbes)

Recession Risks Are ‘Rising’ As Federal Reserve Scrambles To Fight Inflation, Experts Say (Forbes)

Dow Falls 600 Points As Russia-Ukraine Tensions Reach A ‘Crucial Moment’ (Forbes)