US stocks close day with gains amid easing war concerns

The New York Stock Exchange closed higher as concerns eased over a potential breakdown in the temporary ceasefire between the US and Iran.

The Dow industrial benchmark rose 0.58%, or 275.88 points, to close at 48,185.80.

The Nasdaq composite increased 0.83%, or 187.42 points, to 22,822.42, while the S&P 500 added 0.62%, or 41.85 points, to 6,824.66.

The Volatility Index (VIX), often called the market’s “fear index,” fell 7.37% to 19.49.

Despite rising oil prices, the stock market saw a positive trend driven by optimism that the two-week ceasefire between the US and Iran would continue.

Negative reports regarding traffic conditions in the Strait of Hormuz, coupled with supply concerns, pushed oil prices higher.

The price of Brent crude oil rose by around 2% to $96.4 per barrel as of 2045GMT.

However, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s announcement that they would begin direct negotiations with Lebanon supported risk appetite in the markets.

Meanwhile, IMF Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva noted that even the most optimistic scenario following the war in the Middle East would involve a downward revision to global economic growth forecasts, stating that even if the new peace is lasting, growth would be slower.

On the macroeconomic data front, the US economy grew by 0.5% in the fourth quarter of 2025, falling short of forecasts.

The number of people filing initial unemployment claims in the country rose to 219,000 in the week ending April 4, exceeding expectations.

The core personal consumption expenditures price index, which the Fed sees as an inflation gauge, also rose by 0.4% month-over-month and 3% year-over-year in February, in line with expectations.

Europe

European stock markets ended with losses Thursday, excluding Italian FTSE MIB, with the benchmark Stoxx Europe 600 index falling 0.15% to 612.59 points.

The UK’s FTSE 100 fell 0.05% to 10,603.48, Germany’s DAX slid 1.14% to 23,806.99, and Italy’s FTSE MIB 30 earned 0.5% to 47,327.99.

France’s CAC 40 dropped 0.22% to 8,245.80, and Spain's IBEX 35 fell 0.15% to 18,104.90.