S&P 500 Nears Record High on Ceasefire Hopes

The S&P 500 index surged toward its all-time high on Monday, erasing losses tied to the U.S.-Iran conflict and turning positive for 2026, as investors grew optimistic about ongoing ceasefire negotiations between the two nations.

The benchmark index, which tracks 500 large U.S. companies, climbed 1.18 percent to close just below its late-January record, marking gains in nine of the past 10 sessions. This rebound has lifted the index nearly 9 percent from its mid-March low, when it had fallen 5 percent for the year amid escalating tensions in Iran that began in late February. The conflict had fueled fears of disrupted global trade, higher oil prices and slower economic growth, contributing to broader market uncertainty alongside concerns over elevated valuations in artificial intelligence stocks and the pace of Federal Reserve interest rate cuts.

A temporary ceasefire announced by President Donald Trump has shifted sentiment, allowing talks to resume this week after an initial round over the weekend failed to yield an agreement. Trump described the coming days as promising during recent remarks, noting that negotiations could pave the way for de-escalation. Lower oil prices and...