U.S. and Global Stocks Advanced Amid Iran De-Escalation Hopes

Barry Adams
01 Apr, 2026
New York City

 

U.S. stocks advanced for the second consecutive day this week amid rising expectations that tensions in the Middle East are likely to de-escalate soon. 

The S&P 500 Index increased 0.5%, and the Nasdaq Composite advanced 0.7% following a chaotic end of a difficult quarter. 

The two widely followed benchmark indexes, the S&P 500 and the Nasdaq Composite, decreased 4.7% and 7%, respectively, in the first quarter after the U.S. and Israel launched aggressive air attacks on Iran. 

Crude oil prices soared by as much as 83% in the first quarter and reached four-year highs, crossing $100 a barrel in New York and $115 a barrel in London. 

The unprovoked war on Iran disrupted global energy product supplies, reignited food and overall inflation, and gasoline prices soared as much as 50% in the U.S. and Asia. 

India, Japan, Taiwan, South Korea, the Philippines, and other Asian countries are bracing for the second wave of inflation shock as the steep rise in energy prices works its way through their economies. 

At the start of the new month, benchmark indexes in Europe advanced between 1.5% and 1.9%, in Japan soared nearly 5%, soared 8% in South Korea, and in India advanced 1.7%.

 

U.S. Movers 

RH plunged 19% to $113.02 after the home furnishing company estimated full-year revenue growth between 4% and 8%, significantly lower than the market expectation of 9%. 

Dave & Buster's Entertainment advanced 6.2% to $11.50, and the company guided an increase in revenue, adjusted operating earnings, and same-store sales in 2026. 

Nike, Inc. dropped 10.2% to $47.24 after the athletic shoe and apparel maker estimated weaker-than-expected revenue in the current quarter.