S&P 500 Hits New Record Amid Iran Peace Optimism
The S&P 500 and Nasdaq hit new record highs on Thursday (April 16), extending this week's rally as markets increased expectations for a resolution to the Iran war. The S&P 500 rose 0.2%, while the Nasdaq edged down 0.1%. The Dow Jones Industrial Average gained 134 points, or 0.3%.
The gains continued after both indexes reached key milestones on Wednesday: the S&P 500 closed above 7,000 for the first time, and the Nasdaq posted its first close above 24,000. Sentiment was boosted by President Donald Trump's remarks in a Fox Business interview aired Wednesday, calling the Iran war "very close to an end" and claiming Tehran "really wants to make a deal."
Trump also said Israel-Lebanon talks would take place on Thursday. A halt to Israeli attacks in Lebanon is said to be a key condition for negotiations on the Iran war to resume, according to the Speaker of Iran's Parliament. A White House official said a second round of Washington-Tehran negotiations is still under discussion, but no official schedule has been set.
In recent days, stocks have rallied as the market assesses the increasing chances of a peace deal. The S&P 500 even opened the week by erasing all losses incurred since the Iran war began, underscoring the dominant role geopolitical factors play in shaping the current direction of risk appetite. (Arl)
Source: Newsmaker.id
