The S&P 500 increased 0.26% to finish at 7,041.28, while the Nasdaq Composite rose 0.36% to close at 24,102.70. The Dow Jones Industrial Average gained 115 points, or 0.24%, concluding at 48,578.72.
This optimism was bolstered when Donald Trump announced that Israel and Lebanon had agreed to a 10-day ceasefire starting at 5 p.m. ET, following discussions with Lebanese President Joseph Aoun and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. A halt in hostilities between Israel and Lebanon has been essential for progressing US-Iran negotiations.
Trump remarked that the next round of US-Iran discussions might occur “probably, maybe, next weekend,” reinforcing his earlier statements that the conflict is “very close to over.”
The market reacted swiftly, with stocks rising after the announcement, building on a robust performance that saw the S&P 500 recover all losses from the beginning of the conflict earlier this week.
Stocks have surged recently on hopes for a possible peace agreement between the two countries. The S&P 500 commenced the week by erasing all its losses since the onset of the Iran war.
This momentum was also backed by significant milestones. On Wednesday, the S&P 500 closed above 7,000 for the first time, while the Nasdaq achieved its first close above 24,000 and extended its winning streak to 11 consecutive sessions, the longest since November 2021.
Earnings and macroeconomic data contributed to the overall sentiment. In terms of earnings, Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company and PepsiCo surpassed expectations for both revenue and profit, while Charles Schwab reported earnings that exceeded forecasts but fell short on revenue. Netflix is set to release its earnings after the closing bell.
Economic indicators presented a varied outlook. Initial jobless claims dropped to 207,000 for the week ending April 11, suggesting a stable labor market. However, industrial production saw a 0.5% decrease in March, falling short of expectations for a 0.1% rise.
First Published: Apr 17, 2026 1:44 AM IST
