Retail Trading Plunges 43% as Iran War Starts
Source: zerohedge.com
- US retail sales dropped 0.2% in January 2026 amid Iran war fears and winter weather.
- Gas stations tanked 2.9% while online sales bucked trend with gains.
- Consumers pulled back sharply, signaling broader economic malaise tied to oil spikes.
Retail trading volumes cratered 43% right as the Iran war kicked off, slamming consumer spending and dragging down key sectors. January data shows Americans tightening belts amid surging energy costs and harsh weather. This matters because it exposes cracks in the economy just when oil prices jumped nearly 50% from the conflict.