Access to affordable credit helps me pay my employees, but I don't really need it.

Infliction is killing me!

But who cares? Big retailers are making record profits!

That's why we support the Durban Marshall Credit Card Bill!

See? Banks and credit unions help small businesses make payroll.

This bill would cut the vital resources they need.

While increasing megastore profits, they deserve it. Don't they?

Tell Congress, stop the Durban Marshall money grab for corporate megastores.

Paid for by the Electronic Payments Coalition.

Here's your closing bell brief for Friday, March 27th. I'm Catherine Sullivan for the Wall Street Journal.

U.S. stocks fell sharply again today as geopolitical tensions in the Middle East intensified. The NASDAQ lost more than 2%. The Dow dropped 1.7% to enter correction territory, or more than 10% off its high in February,

and the S&P 500 also dropped 1.7% today to close out its fifth straight week of losses.

Investors reacted to news of a potentially longer military confrontation between the United States and Iran.

Crude oil prices climbed 4% as the

conflict continued to threaten energy infrastructure. Gold prices rose 2.7% while the dollar edged

higher. Among individual companies, Lumentum shares rose 2%. The Laser Maker plans to build a new

manufacturing plant for artificial intelligence

data center components. Shares of AstraZeneca gained more than 2.5% in London trading. A new

lung disease drug met its primary goals in two late-stage clinical trials. Carnival shares dropped

4% after the cruise line cut its full-year profit outlook.

Management blamed rising fuel costs driven by higher oil prices.

Meanwhile, shares of Norwegian cruise line fell nearly 7%.

...