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 Thursday, March 19th. I'm Catherine Sullivan for the Wall Street Journal.

U.S. stocks finished lower today after trimming earlier losses. The Dow closed down 0.4%, while the S&P 500 and the

NASDAQ both lost 0.3%. The major indexes climbed back after President Trump said he wouldn't, quote,

put troops anywhere when he was asked about moving forces toward Iran. Prices for oil and natural gas

remained elevated following attacks on Middle Eastern energy facilities, and government bond yields

moved higher as investors grew more concerned about inflation.

Among individual companies, Tesla shares fell 3% following news that U.S. regulators expanded a probe

into the company's driving assistance system.

Shares of Alibaba dropped 7% in U.S. trading, increased competition in the food delivery market hurt the company's

recent profits. HSBC shares fell 3% in London. The drop came after reports that the bank is

considering deep job cuts as part of an overhaul fueled by AI. Shares of five below jumped

nearly 11%. The retailer reported higher profit as shoppers sought out low-priced holiday items.

And shares of gold miners Newmont and SSR mining skidded nearly 7% each amid a sharp decline in futures for gold and other metals.

Heads up, an artificial intelligence tool helped us make this episode by creating

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