U.S. stocks rise in April on strong earnings and easing Middle East tensions

Sat, 02 May 2026 23:09:00 +0200

U.S. stock indexes wrapped up April with some of their strongest monthly gains since 2020, as the S&P 500 rose 0.3% and the Nasdaq advanced 0.9% on the final trading day of the month. Investors were encouraged by a fresh round of better‑than‑expected earnings from major technology and consumer companies, which helped sustain the rally that pushed both indexes to fresh highs. At the same time, bouts of optimism about the Iran–West tensions weighed on oil prices, with Brent crude slipping by about 2% to around $108 per barrel after reports that Iran had submitted a new negotiation proposal through mediators. The pullback in energy costs, while not enough to fully offset previously higher fuel prices, contributed to a more favorable backdrop for risk assets. President Donald Trump publicly criticized Iran’s latest offer, underscoring that geopolitical uncertainty in the Middle East remains a key undercurrent even as markets focus increasingly on corporate fundamentals and macroeconomic da