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Wall Street closed higher on Wednesday, driven by tech and industrial stocks. Investor mood was cautiously optimistic, driven by hopes of a de-escalation in the U.S.-Iran conflict and easing oil prices, which boosted confidence and lifted stocks. All three benchmark indexes ended in the green.
How Did the Benchmarks Perform?
The Dow Jones Industrial Average (DJI) rose 0.5%, or 224.23 points, to close at 46,565.74. Twenty-one components of the 30-stock index ended in positive territory, while nine ended in negative.
The tech-heavy Nasdaq Composite added 250.32 points, or 1.2%, to close at 21,840.95.
The S&P 500 gained 46.8 points, or 0.7%, to close at 6,575.32. Eight of the 11 broad sectors of the benchmark index closed in the green. The Communication Services Select Sector SPDR (XLC), the Industrials Select Sector SPDR (XLI) and the Materials Select Sector SPDR (XLB) advanced 1.7%, 1.7%, 1.2% respectively, while the Energy Select Sector SPDR (XLE) declined 3.9%.
The fear gauge CBOE Volatility Index (VIX) decreased 2.8% to 24.54. A total of 18.8 billion shares were traded on Wednesday, lower than the last 20-session average of 20.2 billion. Advancers outnumbered decliners by a 1.5-to-1 ratio on the S&P 500.
Wall Street Up on Optimism Over Easing Geopolitical Tensions
Wall Street indexes made gains for a second straight session as investor sentiment improved following comments from President Trump, signaling that the Middle East conflict may soon de-escalate. The reassurance that the United States could scale back its involvement in Iran, while retaining the option for targeted action if necessary, helped calm geopolitical concerns that had weighed on markets in recent sessions.
Major indexes advanced, supported by strong gains in heavyweight technology stocks. The communication services and technology sectors emerged as the top performers, benefiting from renewed risk appetite among investors. Industrial and discretionary stocks also moved higher as confidence improved. The easing of tensions contributed to a pullback in oil prices, which further supported equities by reducing inflationary pressure concerns. Market participants viewed the developments as a potential turning point, prompting a shift back toward growth-oriented assets.
Overall, the session reflected cautious optimism, as investors balanced improving geopolitical signals with lingering uncertainties, driving a broad-based rally across Wall Street. Consequently, shares of Alphabet Inc. (GOOGL - Free Report) and Advanced Micro Devices, Inc. (AMD - Free Report) added 3.4% and 3.3%, respectively. Both carry a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold). You can see the complete list of today's Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here.
Oil Prices Fall as Hopes Rise for End to Iran Conflict
Oil prices ended lower on Wednesday after President Trump indicated that the United States may soon wind down its conflict with Iran, easing fears of supply disruptions. Brent crude fell $2.81, or 2.7%, to close at $101.16 per barrel. WTI crude declined $1.26, or roughly 1.2%, to settle at $100.12 per barrel. The drop came as improving geopolitical sentiment lowered risk premiums and led traders to reassess global supply expectations.
ADP Report Shows Balanced Job Growth in March
Automatic Data Processing, Inc. (ADP - Free Report) reported that U.S. private payrolls rose by 62,000 jobs in March, topping expectations of 39,000 and slightly below February’s revised 66,000. Hiring was evenly split between goods and services sectors, indicating steady and broad-based labor market growth.
Economic Data
For the week ending March 27, 2026, U.S. commercial crude oil inventories (excluding those in the Strategic Petroleum Reserve) increased by 5.5 million barrels from the week prior. The number for the previous week remained unrevised at an increase of 6.9 million barrels.
Per the Institute for Supply Management, the ISM Manufacturing Index for March came in at 52.7. The number for February remained unrevised at 52.4.
Per the U.S. Census Bureau, Business Inventories for January decreased by 0.1%. The number for December was revised from an increase of 0.1% to flat.
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Stock Market News for Apr 2, 2026
Wall Street closed higher on Wednesday, driven by tech and industrial stocks. Investor mood was cautiously optimistic, driven by hopes of a de-escalation in the U.S.-Iran conflict and easing oil prices, which boosted confidence and lifted stocks. All three benchmark indexes ended in the green.
How Did the Benchmarks Perform?
The Dow Jones Industrial Average (DJI) rose 0.5%, or 224.23 points, to close at 46,565.74. Twenty-one components of the 30-stock index ended in positive territory, while nine ended in negative.
The tech-heavy Nasdaq Composite added 250.32 points, or 1.2%, to close at 21,840.95.
The S&P 500 gained 46.8 points, or 0.7%, to close at 6,575.32. Eight of the 11 broad sectors of the benchmark index closed in the green. The Communication Services Select Sector SPDR (XLC), the Industrials Select Sector SPDR (XLI) and the Materials Select Sector SPDR (XLB) advanced 1.7%, 1.7%, 1.2% respectively, while the Energy Select Sector SPDR (XLE) declined 3.9%.
The fear gauge CBOE Volatility Index (VIX) decreased 2.8% to 24.54. A total of 18.8 billion shares were traded on Wednesday, lower than the last 20-session average of 20.2 billion. Advancers outnumbered decliners by a 1.5-to-1 ratio on the S&P 500.
Wall Street Up on Optimism Over Easing Geopolitical Tensions
Wall Street indexes made gains for a second straight session as investor sentiment improved following comments from President Trump, signaling that the Middle East conflict may soon de-escalate. The reassurance that the United States could scale back its involvement in Iran, while retaining the option for targeted action if necessary, helped calm geopolitical concerns that had weighed on markets in recent sessions.
Major indexes advanced, supported by strong gains in heavyweight technology stocks. The communication services and technology sectors emerged as the top performers, benefiting from renewed risk appetite among investors. Industrial and discretionary stocks also moved higher as confidence improved. The easing of tensions contributed to a pullback in oil prices, which further supported equities by reducing inflationary pressure concerns. Market participants viewed the developments as a potential turning point, prompting a shift back toward growth-oriented assets.
Overall, the session reflected cautious optimism, as investors balanced improving geopolitical signals with lingering uncertainties, driving a broad-based rally across Wall Street. Consequently, shares of Alphabet Inc. (GOOGL - Free Report) and Advanced Micro Devices, Inc. (AMD - Free Report) added 3.4% and 3.3%, respectively. Both carry a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold). You can see the complete list of today's Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here.
Oil Prices Fall as Hopes Rise for End to Iran Conflict
Oil prices ended lower on Wednesday after President Trump indicated that the United States may soon wind down its conflict with Iran, easing fears of supply disruptions. Brent crude fell $2.81, or 2.7%, to close at $101.16 per barrel. WTI crude declined $1.26, or roughly 1.2%, to settle at $100.12 per barrel. The drop came as improving geopolitical sentiment lowered risk premiums and led traders to reassess global supply expectations.
ADP Report Shows Balanced Job Growth in March
Automatic Data Processing, Inc. (ADP - Free Report) reported that U.S. private payrolls rose by 62,000 jobs in March, topping expectations of 39,000 and slightly below February’s revised 66,000. Hiring was evenly split between goods and services sectors, indicating steady and broad-based labor market growth.
Economic Data
For the week ending March 27, 2026, U.S. commercial crude oil inventories (excluding those in the Strategic Petroleum Reserve) increased by 5.5 million barrels from the week prior. The number for the previous week remained unrevised at an increase of 6.9 million barrels.
Per the Institute for Supply Management, the ISM Manufacturing Index for March came in at 52.7. The number for February remained unrevised at 52.4.
Per the U.S. Census Bureau, Business Inventories for January decreased by 0.1%. The number for December was revised from an increase of 0.1% to flat.