Stock market news for March 31, 2026

Stocks rose on Tuesday following new experiences that gave buyers hope that the Iran conflict may quickly come to an finish.

The Dow Jones Industrial Average was up 1,125.37 factors, or 2.49%, and closed at 46,341.51. The transfer got here after an unconfirmed report mentioned Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian is open to ending the conflict with ensures. The S&P 500 gained 2.91% to finish at 6,528.52, and the Nasdaq Composite superior 3.83% to 21,590.63. Each of the three indexes posted their finest day since May.

Pezeshkian made related remarks earlier this month, saying in a post on that the “only way to end this war — ignited by the Zionist regime & [U.S.] — is recognizing Iran’s legitimate rights, payment of reparations, and firm int’l guarantees against future aggression.”

The Wall Street Journal reported that President donald trump had advised aides he was willing to end military hostilities within the Middle East even when the Strait of Hormuz remained largely shut. The New York Post later reported the president mentioned he believes the Iran war will likely end soonwith different nations taking the lead in reopening the Strait of Hormuz.

Technology, which has been below stress because the battle started, rose broadly. The Technology Select Sector SPDR Fund (XLK) closed greater than 4% greater. Nvidia climbed 5.6%, and Microsoft superior 3.1%.

“Any steps toward ending the war overall, the stock market likes, and so, you are getting that relief rally,” mentioned Eric Diton, president at The Wealth Alliance. “But no, we’re not out of the woods.”

“The bottom line is, if we haven’t solved the oil problem, then that continues to put pressure,” Diton added.

Brent crude costs remained greater after Bloomberg reported that Iran struck a Kuwaiti oil tanker in Dubai waters. The Dubai authorities’s media workplace mentioned in a post on that no accidents had been reported and that “the safety of all 24 crew members has been secured.”

Brent crude futures settled up 4.94% at $118.35 per barrel — the very best shut since June 16, 2022. However, West Texas Intermediate futures settled down 1.46% at $101.38 per barrel.

The Nasdaq stays greater than 10% off its latest intraday excessive. The Dow and the S&P 500 are down by greater than 8% and 6%, respectively, from their most up-to-date highs.

Tuesday marks the ultimate day of the month. The S&P 500 misplaced 5.1% in March for its worst month-to-month efficiency since 2022. The Dow dropped 5.4%, snapping a 10-month successful streak. The Nasdaq declined 4.8%.

The main averages additionally posted a dropping quarter. The Nasdaq led the best way among the many three indexes in losses for the interval, shedding greater than 7%. The S&P 500 slid 4.6%, and the Dow dropped 3.6%.

The Russel 2000 small-cap index bucked that pattern, nevertheless, rising about 0.6% within the quarter.

Correction: An earlier model mentioned that the three main averages declined in Monday’s session. Only the S&P 500 and the Nasdaq Composite booked losses.