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Weekly Market Insights | Mixed Week After Ceasefire

Stocks were mixed last week as investors gauged potential outcomes of the Middle East conflict amid an ongoing ceasefire.

The Standard & Poor’s 500 Index rose 0.55 percent, while the Nasdaq Composite Index advanced 1.50 percent. By contrast, the Dow Jones Industrial Average fell 0.44 percent. The MSCI EAFE Index, which tracks developed overseas stock markets, declined 2.75 percent.^1,2

Mixed Markets As Investors Look Ahead

Stocks began the week lower after tensions in the Middle East escalated over the weekend. They remained under pressure through Tuesday’s close as Wednesday’s expiration of the ceasefire loomed.³

Markets opened higher on Wednesday as investors cheered a ceasefire extension, while solid Q1 corporate earnings results boosted market momentum. Oil prices rose above $100/barrel, and all three major stock averages closed higher, with the S&P 500 and Nasdaq logging new all-time highs.⁴

The S&P and Nasdaq recovered from a slump in software stocks, while higher oil prices put stocks under pressure, logging fresh intraday highs along the way. Investors appeared increasingly desensitized to the Middle East conflict.^5,6

Footnotes And Sources

^{1. WSJ.com, April 17, 2026}
^{2. Investing.com, April 24, 2026}
^{3. CNBC.com, April 21, 2026}
^{4. CNBC.com, April 22, 2026}
^{5. CNBC.com, April 23, 2026}
^{6. WSJ.com, April 24, 2026}

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