[New York Stock Exchange] Ceasefire Extension Drives Gains... S&P 500, Nasdaq Hit Record Highs

Market Remains Optimistic Despite Geopolitical Tensions

The New York Stock Exchange. New York, USA – Photo by Yoonjoo Hwang

As the ceasefire between the United States and Iran was extended, all three major U.S. stock indexes closed higher on April 22 (local time).

At the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE), the Dow Jones Industrial Average ended at 49,490.03, up 340.65 points (0.69%) from the previous trading day. The S&P 500 index, which focuses on large-cap stocks, rose 73.89 points (1.05%) to close at 7,137.90, while the tech-heavy Nasdaq index finished at 24,657.567, up 397.603 points (1.64%).

The market saw improved investor sentiment after U.S. President Donald Trump announced the extension of the ceasefire, taking into account the divided situation within Iran. Optimism was further fueled by a report from the New York Post stating that President Trump said there could be "good news" as early as April 24 regarding the second armistice talks with Iran.

Despite ongoing geopolitical tensions, both the S&P 500 and Nasdaq indexes closed at new all-time highs. Ben Fulton of WEBs Investments analyzed that investors are now beginning to officially put aside concerns over the situation in the Middle East.

Fulton also predicted that, as positive earnings results are expected, the U.S. stock market could rise more easily than international markets going forward.

However, international oil prices closed higher as tensions continued in the Strait of Hormuz. On the New York Mercantile Exchange, West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude for June delivery settled at $92.96 per barrel, up 3.7% from the previous session. At the ICE Futures Exchange, June Brent crude futures closed at $101.91 per barrel, up 3.5%.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.