US Stocks Surge to Records on Iran Diplomacy Hopes

U.S. stock markets surged to record highs on April 15, 2026, as investors bet on progress in U.S.-Iran diplomacy amid a fragile ceasefire, capping one of the quickest recoveries from geopolitical turmoil in recent history.

The S&P 500 closed at 7,022.95, surpassing its pre-war peak of 6,979 from January 27, while the Nasdaq Composite reached 24,016, eclipsing its October 2025 level of 23,958. The Dow Jones Industrial Average added nearly 318 points, or 0.8 percent, in a broad-based rally that erased losses from the Iran conflict's onset in late February. Trading volume was elevated, with technology and financial sectors leading gains, as the S&P 500 posted an 11 percent rebound over two weeks following a nearly 10 percent drop when hostilities began.

The optimism stemmed from reports of an in-principle agreement between Washington and Tehran to extend the ceasefire by two weeks, allowing more time for negotiations to end the conflict that has disrupted global energy supplies. President Donald Trump indicated talks could resume soon, potentially in Pakistan, reviving hopes for reopening the Strait of Hormuz, which remains closed to most shipping. A person familiar with the...