Global Markets Weekly Update - April 10, 2026

Market Sentiment Improves Amid U.S.-Iran Ceasefire Agreement

U.S. stock indexes recorded solid gains for the second consecutive week, driven by a ceasefire agreement between the U.S. and Iran, which alleviated geopolitical tensions and led to a drop in oil prices. The Nasdaq Composite led the way with a 4.68% gain, while the S&P 500 saw positive returns across most sectors, except for energy.

Economic Indicators

The Bureau of Labor Statistics reported a year-over-year CPI increase of 3.3% in March, primarily due to rising gasoline prices. Core CPI rose modestly to 2.6%. Meanwhile, GDP growth for Q4 2025 was revised down to 0.5% from 0.7%.

Consumer Sentiment and Services Activity

The University of Michigan's consumer sentiment index fell to 47.6 in April, reflecting growing concerns over high prices. The Services PMI dipped to 54, indicating continued expansion but with rising costs.

Market Performance Overview

Index	Friday's Close	Week's Change	% Change YTD
DJIA	47,916.57	1,411.90	-0.31%
S&P 500	6,816.89	234.20	-0.42%
Nasdaq Composite	22,902.90	1,023.71	-1.46%
S&P MidCap 400	3,522.63	114.47	6.58%
Russell 2000	2,630.59	100.54	5.99%

International Markets

European markets rallied, with the STOXX Europe 600 Index up 3.05%. Japan's Nikkei 225 Index surged 7.15% as investors reacted positively to the ceasefire. In China, the CSI 300 Index rose 4.41% amid easing geopolitical tensions.

Key Risks to Watch

While the ceasefire has improved market sentiment, investors remain cautious about its durability and potential impacts on energy markets. Ongoing geopolitical risks could lead to renewed volatility.