US consumer, retail stocks down amid Middle East conflict

Lowes Companies

05/03/2026 18:23

Updates

** Shares of U.S. retailers fall amid broader market declines as the Middle East conflict entered its sixth day, raising concerns of fresh inflation pressures that could complicate the Federal Reserve's monetary policy decisions

** Oil prices also jumped, extending a rally as the escalating Middle East situation disrupted shipping, manufacturing & transport

** "The sharp rise in oil prices and potential shipping problems from the Iran War is a concern – we could see higher inflation, which could depress consumer spending" David Swartz, senior equity analyst at Morningstar says

** Big-box retailer Walmart WMT.O, Target TGT.N and Costco COST.O down between 1% and 4%

** Apparel companies: Abercrombie & Fitch ANF.N down 7%, Under Armour UAA.N and VF Corp VFC.N down 3% each; Gap GAP.N down 3.5%

** Dollar General DG.N down 4% and Dollar Tree DLTR.O down ~2%

** Bath & Body BBWI.N down ~4%, while Best Buy BBY.N down 2.5%

** Consumer goods companies: Church & Dwight CHD.N, Procter & Gamble PG.N and Colgate Palmolive CL.N down 2% each; Newell Brands NWL.O down 4%

** Home Depot HD.N, Lowe's LOW.N down 2% each; Williams-Sonoma WSM.N down 3% and Masco MAS.N down 4%

** Luxury brands: Ralph Lauren RL.N down ~2%, Capri Holdings CPRI.N down ~3% and Tapestry TPR.N down 6%

 (Reporting by Sanskriti Shekhar in Bengaluru)

 ((Sanskriti.Shekhar@thomsonreuters.com))