Stocks sag on news
that oil might spike

NEW YORK » Stocks sagged yesterday, ending a lackluster quarter in negative range as investors weighed rising U.S. incomes and consumer spending against lofty oil prices, which rose following an investment bank's suggestion that energy was in the early stages of a bull market.

The report from Goldman Sachs warned oil was entering a "super spike" period that could drive prices as high as $105 per barrel, but many on Wall Street were skeptical about the call. The only thing that could take crude to such high levels would be a major disruption in supply from Iran, Iraq or Saudi Arabia, which seems unlikely at this point, said Tracy Herrick, chief economist for the Private Bank of the Peninsula in Palo Alto, Calif.

The report seemed to have an impact on trading, nonetheless; crude futures surged $1.41 to $55.30 per barrel on the New York Mercantile Exchange -- difficult for stock investors to ignore.

"The important thing today, the only thing of significance, is the oil figure," Herrick said. "That is the most troubling thing for the market because it has a long-term negative effect on the economy and could act as a drag on profits. Everything else indicates the economy is in glide path for continued strength. The increases in interest rates so far have had no impact on the economy, so that's not an issue. Oil is the issue."

The Dow Jones industrial average was down 37.17, or 0.35 percent, at 10,503.76, pressured in part by American International Group Inc. and Johnson & Johnson. The Dow lost 2.59 percent during the first three months of 2005.

The broader gauges were also lower for the day and the year. The Standard & Poor's 500 index slipped 0.82, or 0.07 percent, to 1,180.59, ending its worst quarter since 2002 with a 2.59 percent loss. The Nasdaq composite index fell 6.44, or 0.32 percent, to 1,999.23, down 8.10 percent since the year began.

The Nasdaq posted the steepest loss for the month as well, sliding 52.49 points, or 2.56 percent. The Dow sank 262.47 points in March, or 2.44 percent, and the S&P declined 23.01 points, or 1.91 percent.

Treasurys rallied for a third day, with the yield on the 10-year note dropping to 4.48 percent, from 4.55 percent late Wednesday. The U.S. dollar fell against other major currencies. Gold prices rose.

Hiring gains sent U.S. incomes up by 0.3 percent in February, but consumer spending climbed at an even faster 0.5 percent pace, the Commerce Department reported. Further gains in incomes and consumer spending are expected in the months ahead.