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The S&P 500 is down about 2% on March 3 after South Korea’s KOSPI Index tumbled 7.2%. The KOSPI drop is significant because the index comprises major chipmaker and consumer electronics giant Samsung, a major player in memory in high demand globally due to AI data center buildouts; SK Hynix, another semiconductor giant; and industrials like Hyundai Motor.Investor optimism had driven the KOSPI up 34% year to date before the retreat.Top Declining Stocks (March 3, 2026):SK Hynix (000660): Dropped 11.5%.Hyundai Motor (005380): Fell 11.72%.Korean Air (003490): Declined 10.32%.Samsung Electronics (005930): Fell 9.88%.
Source: Korea Times.
The sell-off stems from a growing slate of uncertainty. I’ve spent three decades tracking markets, including as a Wall Street sell-side analyst, and if there’s one thing that global investors hate, it’s a lack of clarity.When major indexes stumble overseas, it often spills over into the U.S. market, as it did today. While the dip is concerning, the key won’t simply be the S&P 500, Dow Jones, and Nasdaq’s opening print, but how these indexes trade into the close. Uncertainty spikes after tariff tantrum, Iran warThe first bout of uncertainty landed in mid-February when the Supreme Court delivered President Donald Trump’s tariff plans a blow. The Court determined that the President overstepped when he used the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) as the legal pathway to instituting many of the tariffs enacted in 2025.Major Asia stock performance (3/3/2026):Japan’s Nikkei: -3.1% ‌to ⁠56,279.05Shanghai Stock Exchange: -1.43% to 4,122.68Shenzhen Stock Exchange: -3.07% to 14,022.39President Trump reacted quickly, instituting 15% global tariffs on imports using a different authority, Section 122 of the Trade Act of 1974. However, that authority has never been used, and many believe it will be subject to legal challenges.Absent Congress passing tariffs into law, global trade will continue to operate under a cloud of unpredictability. More Wall StreetBillionaire Dalio sends 2-words on Fed pick WarshTop analyst bets these stocks will boost your portfolio in 2026Bank of America sends quiet warning to stock market investorsThe U.S. and Israel’s attack on Iran, including the assassination of its Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khamenei, further upends the proverbial apple cart.The longstanding detante with Iran has ended with a push for significant regime change that ultimately may reshape Middle East politics and global oil markets.In the short term, unease over ongoing missile attacks and the risk of the conflict spreading or escalating to a ground operation, limiting or preventing Middle East tankers from using the Strait of Hormuz to export oil worldwide, has caused crude oil prices to skyrocket.

The S&P 500 fell 2% after Korea’s KOSPI index stumbled 7% on March 3 2026.	CHARLY TRIBALLEAU /

Brent Crude oil is up 23% in the past month, including an 18% surge in the past five trading sessions. West Texas Crude has risen 20%, including a 16% climb over the same period. The pop has already translated into U.S. gasoline prices rising to $3.11 per gallon, up from $2.88 a month ago, according to AAA.”Based on the numbers at this moment (3/3/26, 945am ET), the average price of gasoline would likely climb to about $3.30-$3.35/gal in time. Any further changes in markets will change this,” wrote Gas Buddy’s Patrick De Haan on X.Inflation risk ratchets higher, trapping FedThe pressure on the economy from rising energy prices is significant. It directly accounts for 6.3% of Consumer Price Index inflation, according to the American Petroleum Institute. It also indirectly impacts much of inflation because energy costs are embedded within all goods.A rerating of energy prices higher, if persistent, will flow through to inflation, pressuring business and household spending and further hamstringing the Federal Reserve, which sets interest rates based on a dual mandate:Low inflation (targeting 2% annualized)Low unemploymentThe two goals often contradict one another. When the Fed raises rates, it shrinks inflation but causes unemployment, and vice versa. This year, the Fed opted against lowering interest rates in January after three consecutive rate cuts, fearing it would trigger more inflation. In December, the Personal Consumption Expenditures Price Index registered 2.9% inflation, according to the Bureau of Economic Analysis, up from 2.7% in October. Meanwhile, the U.S. unemployment rate was 4.3% in January, up from 4% one year ago, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.Stock market drop isn’t uncommon The S&P 500, Dow Jones, and Nasdaq don’t operate in a vacuum. When one starts moving, the others move in suit. The S&P 500, the benchmark for stock market returns, has traded in a range of 6700 to 7000 since the fall; however, as I previously wrote, the market has struggled on rallies toward the high end of the range, despite bullish Wall Street forecasts and solid earnings growth.The move today is particularly worth watching because it puts December’s 6721 low in play. A close on volume below that level could trigger more selling, with risk down to the index’s 200-day moving average, which currently rests near 6567.The technology-heavy Nasdaq Composite is similarly challenging its 21898 low in November, and unlike the S&P 500, it’s almost at its 200-day moving average. A sustained break below that trendline would be particularly worrisome, as many traders consider the 200-dma a key line in the sand for sell orders.While those declines and the near-term risk are real, investors should keep in mind that drops of 5% to 10% are very common, occurring “almost every single year,” according to Berger Financial Group. Corrections of 10% or more happen about every 18 months.In mid-term Election years, corrections are also common and potentially par for the course. Since 1950, the average S&P 500 drawdown during a midterm year is 17.5%, the steepest decline out of the four-year Presidential Election cycle.That said, investors may want to keep perspective. After all, historically, mid-term year weakness has set the stage for notable gains off the lows in year three of the cycle. Since 1950, the average one-year return following mid-term elections is about 15%.The returns have been even better since 1980, rising 17.5% in the year after the midterm election, according to U.S. Bank.”That stronger average does not mean every post-midterm year is a winner, and it does not imply a single “correct” portfolio move for all investors. Instead, it highlights a recurring rhythm: markets often struggle with uncertainty and improve once the fog clears – provided the economic backdrop cooperates,” wrote U.S. Bank.Related: Morgan Stanley delivers curt 2-word verdict on S&P 500

Crude oil and natural gas prices jumped on March 2 after Iran said it had closed the Strait of Hormuz, raising concerns over energy supply in the Middle East.The closure of the Strait of Hormuz came after massive airstrikes by the U.S. and Israel, which reportedly killed Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.The Strait of Hormuz is widely viewed as the most critical chokepoint in global energy trade. About one-third of the world’s seaborne oil exports passed through the Strait in 2025, according to Kpler data cited by CNBC. The closure would disrupt crude flows of millions of barrels per day, tighten global supply, and pressure oil prices. Brent crude futures (BZ=F), the international benchmark, traded for under $70 last week. It moved up to roughly $77 on Monday afternoon, March 2.Natural gas, though a different market than oil, reacted even more sharply.

The benchmark European gas price, traded on the Dutch TTF hub, jumped 39% on March 2.Getty Images

Gas prices jump as Qatar halts productionBoth crude oil and natural gas are central to the conflict because of the Strait’s role in moving liquefied natural gas (LNG) from Qatar.Qatar is the world’s largest LNG exporter, and much of its output transits Hormuz. Bloomberg reported that Qatar halted LNG production after Iranian drone attacks on its Ras Laffan complex, which covers roughly 20% of global LNG supply.The benchmark European gas price, traded on the Dutch TTF hub, jumped 39% to around €44 per megawatt-hour on March 2, the largest increase since August 2023. Goldman Sachs warned gas prices could more than doubleGoldman Sachs warned that the market had barely priced in geopolitical risk in gas prices before last week.”While European gas (TTF) and spot LNG (JKM) prices have embedded little-to-no risk premium until this past Friday, we see significant upside risk to prices from a potential sustained disruption of LNG supply through the Strait of Hormuz,” Goldman Sachs analysts said in a note.”In a scenario where flows halt for one month, we think it is likely that TTF and JKM could approach 74 EUR/MWh ($25/mmBtu) — 130% above current levels — a threshold that triggered large natural gas demand responses during the 2022 European energy crisis.”Asian countries buy most of the LNG shipped from the Middle East, but a disruption might push up prices of alternative cargoes from the U.S. and Australia.Goldman Sachs sees “limited upside risk to U.S. natural gas prices.” Still, several U.S. LNG exporter stocks rallied on Monday, March 2.Shares of Cheniere Energy (LNG) rose 5.6%. Venture Global (VG) jumped 17.4%, and NextDecade (NEXT) gained 4%. Front-month Nymex gas for April delivery was up 4% at $2.97 per MMBtu. Related: Oil shock threatens Fed rate-cut bets

For a limited time, Tello Mobile (Team Clark’s Review) is offering a $6/month discount on its unlimited phone plan for the first 12 months of service. That brings the price to only $19/month for unlimited data!

In this article, I’ll share the details of Tello Mobile’s latest deal. I’ll include who’s eligible, what you’ll get for the price, and how the plan compares to other affordable unlimited options. 

Save up to $72 on a New Tello Mobile Unlimited Line

Now through March 11, new customers OR existing Tello customers who add a line to their account can get the unlimited plan for $19/month. The discount applies every month for the first year. If you keep the line active for a full year, that’s a total savings of $72!

Here’s what you’ll get with Tello Mobile’s unlimited plan: 

Unlimited nationwide talk, text and data

50GB of high-speed data before reduced speeds

10GB of mobile hotspot data

Free international calls to 60+ countries

Wi-Fi calling

After 12 months of service, Tello Mobile’s unlimited plan renews at its regular rate: $25/month. The plan price includes fees but not taxes, which vary by location. 

Tello Mobile is a prepaid service provider, and you can cancel your service at any time.

Tello Mobile: An Affordable T-Mobile MVNO

If you aren’t familiar with Tello Mobile, it’s a mobile virtual network operator (MVNO) that utilizes T-Mobile’s network towers.

Plans start as low as $9/month with unlimited talk, text and 1GB of high-speed data. For this plan, Team Clark highlights Tello Mobile as one of the cheapest monthly cell phone plans available. Tello Mobile also offers excellent prices on other plans for light data users, ranging from 2GB to 15GB of high-speed data.

Compared to T-Mobile itself, Tello Mobile offers significantly lower prices. T-Mobile’s postpaid plans start at $50/month for one line with autopay. While you’ll get more high-speed data and additional postpaid benefits with T-Mobile postpaid, you can get an unlimited data plan from Tello Mobile for $25/month at regular rates. Plus, you can get a new line on the same plan for only $19/month for the first 12 months with Tello Mobile’s current deal.

Compared to other prepaid service providers that use T-Mobile’s service towers, Tello Mobile’s prices remain competitive. Here are a few unlimited data plans from other affordable providers on T-Mobile’s network to compare:

Mint Mobile (Review): At regular rates, Mint Mobile’s unlimited plan costs as low as $30/month when prepaid annually. For a limited time, new customers can get the same plan for $15/month when prepaid for three months, six months or a year in advance. It includes unlimited high-speed data (speeds may slow with network congestion after 50GB/month) and mobile hotspot data.

US Mobile (Review): Monthly unlimited plans begin at $25. On the Light Speed network (which utilizes T-Mobile’s service towers), this plan includes 70GB of high-speed data and 10GB of mobile hotspot data. The same plan is available annually for $270 at regular rates ($22.50/month).

Ultra Mobile (Review): Monthly unlimited plans begin at $49 with discounts available for multi-month plans (as low as $34/month when prepaid annually). This plan includes unlimited high-speed data (speeds may slow with network congestion after 35GB/month) and 10GB of mobile hotspot data.

You can see a more detailed plan comparison between our top picks for the best unlimited plans here. For more options, check out all of our top picks for the best cell phone plans available now.

Additionally, you can use our new Cell Phone Plan Finder to quickly compare plans that will meet your needs.

If you do decide to switch, be sure to read our full Tello Mobile review first. Also, check out our step-by-step guide to changing cell phone service providers.

Are you thinking about switching to Tello Mobile? Let us know in our Clark.com Community!
The post Tello Mobile Deal: Unlimited Data for $19/Month First Year appeared first on Clark Howard.

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