Here are 3 forces that drove a remarkable, record-setting week on Wall Street
Airfind news item
By Morgan Chittum
Published on April 18, 2026.
The Wall Street market experienced a remarkable week, with stocks reaching record highs due to hopes of a peace deal with Iran. The S & P 500 closed above 7,100 for the first time and the Nasdaq completed its longest-winning stretch since 1992, marking 13 days of gains. The recovery was largely due to investors pricing in an end to the Iran-U.S. conflict, but also a positive outlook for bank earnings and a comeback in the software sector. The iShares Expanded Tech-Software ETF (IGV) rose nearly 14%, recovering some losses, but remains down roughly 20% for 2026. Microsoft, CrowdStrike, and Salesforce were among the top three gainers in the portfolio. Despite ongoing tensions with Iran, the stock market saw a surge in consumer spending, with Wells Fargo's credit card business showing positive signs.
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