Weekly Market Insights | Ceasefire News Cheers Wall Street
Markets Rally on Middle East Ceasefire Hopes as Investors Embrace Optimism Over Uncertainty
Hope won out over fear last week as investors set their sights on a Middle East ceasefire holding and optimistic prospects for the Strait of Hormuz reopening.
The Standard & Poor’s 500 Index rose 3.56 percent, while the Nasdaq Composite Index gained 4.68 percent. The Dow Jones Industrial Average advanced 3.04 percent. The MSCI EAFE Index, which tracks developed overseas stock markets, increased 4.52 percent.¹ ²
Ceasefire Optimism
Stocks opened the week with modest gains, with the S&P 500 rising for the fourth consecutive trading day. Investors warily eyed the U.S.-imposed April 7 deadline for Iran to allow the free flow of oil and commerce through the Strait of Hormuz, or risk further attacks on its energy infrastructure.³
Stocks opened lower on Tuesday but recovered late in the session on news that Pakistan asked the U.S. to extend its deadline by two weeks.⁴
Markets then moved higher on Wednesday following White House comments that the U.S. was suspending attacks for two weeks while it considered a ceasefire proposal. All three major averages gained more than 2.5 percent on Wednesday alone, as tech stocks led the rally.⁵
The relief rally continued through Thursday, as the Dow Jones Industrial Average turned positive for the year.
On Friday, markets shrugged off news that headline inflation rose to a two-year high in March. Stocks also looked past a disappointing consumer sentiment reading.⁶ ⁷
Source: YCharts.com, April 11, 2026. Weekly performance is measured from Monday, April 6 to Friday, April 10. TR = total return for the index, which includes dividends as well as any other cash distributions during the period. Treasury note yield is expressed in basis points.
Mixed Inflation Report
The overall Consumer Price Index rose in March, but a closer look revealed why investors were largely nonplussed by the results.
“Headline” inflation—economist-speak for the overall inflation rate—rose 3.8 percent year over year last month. That was up from 2.4 percent in February and marked its highest level since April 2024. However, underlying inflation remained relatively cool. Much of the rise in overall inflation was attributed to a 21 percent spike in gas prices—an outcome many investors had already anticipated.
As a result, “core” inflation, which excludes food and energy prices, came in at 2.7 percent year over year, slightly below expectations.⁸
This Week: Key Economic Data
Monday: Existing Home Sales. Federal Reserve Governor Stephen Miran speaks.
Tuesday: NFIB Small Business Optimism Index. Producer Price Index (PPI). Federal Reserve Governor Michael Barr speaks. Federal Reserve Presidents Susan Collins (Boston), Tom Barkin (Richmond), and Anna Paulson (Philadelphia) participate in a panel discussion on the rural economy.
Wednesday: Import Prices. Home Builder Confidence. Federal Reserve officials Michael Barr and Vice Chair for Supervision Michelle Bowman speak. Federal Reserve Beige Book released.
Thursday: Weekly Jobless Claims. Industrial Production. Capacity Utilization. Federal Reserve officials John Williams (New York Fed President) and Stephen Miran speak.
Friday: Housing Starts. Building Permits. Federal Reserve officials Tom Barkin and Christopher Waller speak.
Source: Investors Business Daily – Econoday economic calendar, April 10, 2026. The Econoday economic calendar lists upcoming U.S. economic data releases (including key economic indicators), Federal Reserve policy meetings, and speaking engagements of Federal Reserve officials. The content is developed from sources believed to provide accurate information. Forecasts or forward-looking statements are based on assumptions and may not materialize. Forecasts are subject to revision.
This Week: Companies Reporting Earnings
Monday: Goldman Sachs (GS), Fastenal (FAST)
Tuesday: JPMorgan Chase (JPM), Johnson & Johnson (JNJ), Wells Fargo (WFC), Citigroup (C), BlackRock (BLK)
Wednesday: Bank of America (BAC), Morgan Stanley (MS), Progressive (PGR), PNC Financial Services (PNC), Kinder Morgan (KMI)
Thursday: Netflix (NFLX), PepsiCo (PEP), Abbott Laboratories (ABT), Charles Schwab (SCHW), Prologis (PLD), Bank of New York Mellon (BK), U.S. Bancorp (USB), Marsh (MRSH), The Travelers Companies (TRV)
Friday: Truist Financial (TFC)
Source: Zacks, April 10, 2026. Companies mentioned are for informational purposes only and should not be considered a solicitation for the purchase or sale of securities. Investing involves risk, and investment decisions should be based on your goals, time horizon, and risk tolerance. The return and principal value of investments will fluctuate as market conditions change. When sold, investments may be worth more or less than their original cost. Companies may reschedule their earnings reports without notice.
“Your life does not get better by chance, it gets better by change.”
– Jim Rohn
Taking Care of Your Mental Health
Taking care of your mental health is just as important as taking care of your physical health — if not more so. Your mental health influences how you communicate with others, how you perform at work, and how you feel about yourself.
Here are some tips to help you focus on your mental health and understand what you need to be the best version of yourself:
- Start your day with coffee or tea and enjoy your warm drink without thinking about what’s ahead.
- Set up a getaway, even if you don’t go far. It could even be camping in your backyard.
- Think about something in your life you want to improve, and figure out what you can do to take a step in the right direction.
- Learn something new, whether it’s a recipe, a song, a poem, or a skill.
- Show some love to someone in your life. Write a letter, send a text, or give a loved one a phone call.
- Go off the grid and leave your smartphone at home for a day (or a few hours).
Tip adapted from Mental Health America.¹⁹
Al Dallah Teapot, Doha Corniche
Doha, Ad Dawhah, Qatar
1. WSJ.com, April 10, 2026
2. Investing.com, April 10, 2026
3. CNBC.com, April 6, 2026
4. CNBC.com, April 7, 2026
5. CNBC.com, April 8, 2026
6. WSJ.com, April 9, 2026
7. WSJ.com, April 10, 2026
8. CNBC.com, April 10, 2026
9. Mhanational.org, November 17, 2025
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