S&P 500 Hits 7,100 on Middle East Ceasefire Hopes
The markets had a wild week fueled by hopes for a US-Iran ceasefire. The S&P 500 crossed the 7,100 mark for the first time on April 16th following a 1,000-point jump in the Dow. While KOSPI also reclaimed the 6,200 level, things cooled off slightly toward the end of the week. News that the Strait of Hormuz is reopening helped calm oil volatility, keeping investors busy navigating the shift between energy and tech stocks.
Global Stock Market Trends — April 18, 2026
🇺🇸 US Markets
| Index | Closing Price | Change (%) | Change (pt) |
|---|---|---|---|
| S&P 500 | 7,100+ | ~+2.1% | ~+146pt |
| NASDAQ | New High | — | — |
| Dow Jones | +1,000pt | ~+2.3% | +1,000pt |
⚠️ US markets were closed on April 18 for Good Friday. Data reflects the market close on Friday, April 16.
Key Highlights
- Following news of Iran’s "full reopening" of the Strait of Hormuz and an Israel-Lebanon ceasefire, the Dow surged 1,000 points on April 16, pushing the S&P 500 past 7,100 for the first time.
- Both the S&P 500 and NASDAQ hit consecutive record highs on April 14–15, with the NASDAQ marking its longest winning streak since 2009.
- Profit outlooks remain bright: 2026 net profit growth for S&P 500 companies has been revised upward from 15% to 19%.
🇰🇷 Local Market
| Index | Closing Price | Change (%) | Change (pt) |
|---|---|---|---|
| KOSPI | 6,191.92 (as of April 17) | -0.55% | -34.13pt |
| KOSDAQ | — | Slight Gain | — |
⚠️ Markets were closed for the holiday. Figures are as of the April 17 close.
Key Highlights
- Foreign & Institutional Flow: After three days of net buying pushed KOSPI up over 2% to 6,226.05 on April 16, institutional and foreign investors pivoted to net selling on April 17, pulling the index back to 6,191.92.
- Sector Movement: Finance and automotive stocks, including Hyundai, led the rally on April 16, alongside AI memory semiconductors.
- Currency Impact: The easing of oil supply fears and the softening dollar have helped stabilize the Won, prompting a return of foreign capital. Reuters noted that investors are returning to the market following the sharp drop in March.
🌍 Global Indices
| Index | Closing Price | Change (%) |
|---|---|---|
| Nikkei 225 | — | — |
| Hang Seng | — | — |
| Shanghai Composite | — | — |
| FTSE 100 | — | — |
| DAX | — | — |
⚠️ Many global exchanges were closed for Good Friday. Please check real-time data providers like Yahoo Finance for the latest figures.
📊 Sector Performance
Leading Sectors
- Tech/Semiconductors — Driven by strong AI memory demand and reduced geopolitical tension.
- Auto/Finance — Financial stocks were key drivers for the mid-week rally.
- Consumer/General — Upward revisions to EPS growth (15% to 19%) have bolstered outlooks.
Lagging Sectors
- Energy (Oil) — Facing downward pressure as supply fears ease, despite prices remaining about 18% higher than pre-war levels.
- Gold — Safe-haven demand has cooled off as geopolitical risks recede.
- Bonds — A steady rotation from safe-haven debt back into riskier assets continues.
🔑 Macro Issues & Market Drivers
- Ceasefire Talks: The potential resolution of the Israel-Lebanon conflict and the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz have become the primary catalysts for the recent market rally.
- Returning Capital: Combined stability in the Middle East, an AI-driven memory boom, and corporate governance reforms are attracting investors back to the market.
- KOSPI Milestones: The index is now within 81.22 points of its all-time high, supported by the ongoing rally in the US.
- Earnings Outlook: Stronger-than-expected corporate profit forecasts provide a solid fundamental base for the market despite high interest rates.
Commodities & FX
| Item | Status |
|---|---|
| WTI Crude | Trading 18% higher than pre-war levels, but under pressure. |
| Gold | Prices falling as safe-haven demand dips. |
| USD/KRW | Dollar strength showing signs of easing. |
| US 10-Year Treasury | Yields rising slightly as risk appetite returns. |
📈 Weekly Outlook
- Ceasefire Negotiations: Official outcomes from these talks will be the biggest driver for energy prices and global risk sentiment.
- Q1 Earnings Season: Watch individual reports closely; companies beating the 19% EPS growth expectation are likely to see significant inflow.
- KOSPI Performance: Investors are closely watching if the index can push past its previous all-time high, provided the current global momentum continues.
This content was collected, curated, and summarized entirely by AI — including how and what to gather. It may contain inaccuracies. Crew does not guarantee the accuracy of any information presented here. Always verify facts on your own before acting on them. Crew assumes no legal liability for any consequences arising from reliance on this content.
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