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Ceasefire rally drives broad gains amid oil retreat and AI leadership

Stocks posted solid gains this week as a two-week ceasefire agreement between the U.S. and Iran helped ease geopolitical risk and drive a sharp decline in oil prices, supporting a broad-based rebound in equities. 

The S&P 500 (+3.6%), Nasdaq Composite (+4.7%), and DJIA (+3.0%) all advanced, while the Russell 2000 (+4.0%) and S&P Mid Cap 400 (+3.4%) also finished higher, reflecting broad participation across the market.

Sector leadership was concentrated in growth and AI-linked areas, with communication services (+5.8%) and consumer discretionary (+5.8%) leading, alongside information technology (+4.8%).

Within tech, semiconductor strength was a key driver, while software lagged. Mega-cap growth also contributed, due to solid gains from Amazon (+13.7%) and Meta Platforms (+9.6%).

Industrials (+4.7%) and materials (+3.5%) posted strong gains as well, while financials (+2.4%), real estate (+2.9%), utilities (+1.3%), consumer staples (+0.5%), and healthcare (+0.4%) all finished higher but more modestly. Energy (-4.1%) was the clear laggard as crude oil fell nearly $15 per barrel amid easing geopolitical risk.

Friday’s March CPI report provided the key macro check late in the week, with headline inflation running hotter due to energy costs while core inflation was more contained. Overall, the week was defined by easing geopolitical tensions, a sharp reversal in oil prices, and continued leadership from AI and semiconductor-related equities, with focus now turning to upcoming U.S.–Iran talks for clarity on whether the ceasefire can evolve into a more durable agreement.

  • Nasdaq Composite: +4.7% week-to-date
  • Russell 2000: +4.0% week-to-date
  • S&P 500: +3.6% week-to-date
  • S&P Mid Cap 400: +3.4% week-to-date
  • DJIA: +3.0% week-to-date

Past performance is not a guarantee of future results. Indices are unmanaged and one cannot invest directly in an index. Diversification does not guarantee investment returns and does not eliminate the risk of loss.

Data and rates used were indicative of market conditions as of the date shown and compiled by Briefing.com. Opinions, estimates, forecasts, and statements of financial market trends are based on current market conditions and are subject to change without notice. References to specific securities, asset classes and financial markets are for illustrative purposes only and do not constitute a solicitation, offer, or recommendation to purchase or sell a security. S&P 500 Index is a market index generally considered representative of the stock market as a whole. The index focuses on the large-cap segment of the U.S. equities market. Each company’s security affects the index in proportion to its market value. NASDAQ Composite Index is a market value-weighted index that measures all NASDAQ domestic and non-U.S. based common stocks listed on the NASDAQ stock market. Dow Jones Industrial Average is a widely used indicator of the overall condition of the stock market, a price-weighted average of 30 actively traded blue chip stocks, primarily industrials, but also includes financial, leisure and other service-oriented firms. Russell 2000 Index measures the performance of the smallest 2,000 companies in the Russell 3000 Index of the 3,000 largest U.S. companies in terms of market capitalization. MSCI Emerging Markets Index is a free float-adjusted market capitalization index that is designed to measure equity market performance of emerging markets.

Park Avenue Securities LLC (PAS) is a wholly owned subsidiary of The Guardian Life Insurance Company of America (Guardian). PAS is a registered broker/dealer offering competitive investment products, as well as a registered investment advisor offering financial planning and investment advisory services. PAS is a member of FINRA and SIPC.

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8076115.43 (Exp. 7/26)

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