Stocks Hit Record Despite War
U.S. stocks pushed to fresh record highs on Wednesday even as the conflict with Iran lifted energy prices, suggesting investors treated the shock as tradable volatility rather than a systemic threat. (nbcnews.com) Morningstar says that pattern — escalation followed by partial retreat — has made investors more comfortable pricing policy risk, not panic-selling. (morningstar.com) Outside the U.S., markets were less sanguine: the FTSE 100 slipped below 10,600 as oil and tariff concerns weighed. (ibtimes.com.au)
U.S. stocks hit fresh records on Wednesday, even with the Iran war still lifting oil prices and darkening the outlook for global growth. (nbcnews.com) The Standard & Poor’s 500 closed above 7,000 for the first time on April 15, 2026, and the Nasdaq Composite also finished at a record, while the Dow Jones Industrial Average lagged and closed lower. (cnbc.com) Reuters said the rally was driven by hopes of de-escalation in the U.S.-Iran conflict and by corporate earnings expectations, with investors moving back into risk assets after the war-driven selloff faded. (usnews.com) That rebound has been fast. The Associated Press said the Standard & Poor’s 500 had posted 10 gains in 11 trading days by Thursday morning, nearly erasing the shock from the start of the conflict. (pbs.org) Morningstar said investors have started treating the war, higher energy costs, and delayed Federal Reserve rate cuts as risks that can be priced rather than reasons to dump stocks outright. (morningstar.com) The market’s bet is that the conflict will not turn into a worst-case economic shock. Associated Press reported that Wall Street’s rally has been built on hopes the war with Iran will not do major damage to the global economy. (pbs.org) Outside the United States, the reaction was weaker. The Financial Times Stock Exchange 100 closed below 10,600 on Wednesday as oil worries, tariff concerns, and mixed company results weighed on London trading. (ibtimes.com.au) That split reflects who benefits from expensive energy. Britain’s benchmark has more direct exposure to higher fuel costs and trade-sensitive exporters, while the U.S. rally has been led by technology and other growth stocks. (reuters.com) By Thursday, Wall Street was no longer surging, but it was still holding near the highs. The Associated Press said traders were waiting for clearer signs on ceasefire talks and the next move in oil before making a bigger bet. (apnews.com)
