Stocks rallied last week as investor enthusiasm built for an end to the war in the Middle East and hopes of a resumption of normal global trade. The Standard & Poor’s 500 Index rose 4.54%, while the Nasdaq Composite Index picked up 6.84%. The Dow Jones Industrial Average advanced 3.19%. The MSCI EAFE Index, which tracks developed overseas stock markets, increased 2.15%.1,2 Shift to “Risk-On” from “Risk-Off”The S&P 500 ended the week at 7,126.06, its highest closing level ever. The market benchmark also reached a fresh intraday high on Friday of 7,147.52. The weekly climb -- its third in a row -- moved the S&P 500 back into positive territory for the year to date. It is now up 4.1% for 2026 and 9.2% for April. President Donald Trump said Iran agreed to suspend its nuclear program indefinitely and won't receive any frozen funds from the US, Bloomberg reported. Trump said in a phone interview on Friday that a deal to end the war is mostly complete and talks over a lasting agreement will "probably" be held this weekend, according to the Bloomberg news report. Earlier Friday, Iran announced the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz for the remainder of the US-Iran ceasefire period. The technology sector had the largest percentage gain this week across the S&P 500's 11 sectors, jumping 8.1%, followed by a 6.6% climb in consumer discretionary and a 6.3% advance in communication services. Real estate and financials were also strong, rising more than 3% each, while industrials and health care also edged higher. Oracle (ORCL) shares led the technology sector's advance, soaring 27%. The company said it plans to expand its multi-cloud networking capabilities to provide connectivity between Oracle Cloud Infrastructure and Amazon's (AMZN) Amazon Web Services. The consumer discretionary sector was boosted by a 15% jump in Tesla (TSLA) shares. The electric vehicle maker is developing a new compact, lower-cost electric SUV as it looks to expand its lineup beyond the Tesla Model Y and Tesla Model 3, according to a Reuters report citing unnamed sources familiar with the matter. Also, Tesla is planning to launch a six-seat, long-wheelbase version of the Model Y in India as early as next week, Bloomberg reported, citing unnamed sources. Four sectors declined this week, led by a 3.5% drop in energy and a 1.7% slip in utilities. Materials and consumer staples also edged lower. The energy sector's drop came as crude oil futures fell amid Iran's announcement reopening the Strait of Hormuz. The hardest-hit stocks included shares of Coterra Energy (CTRA), Devon Energy (DVN) and APA Corp. (APA), which shed 7.5% each. Quarterly earnings are expected this week from companies including Tesla, GE Aerospace (GE), GE Vernova (GEV), UnitedHealth Group (UNH), Philip Morris International (PM), International Business Machines (IBM), AT&T (T), Boeing (BA), Intel (INTC), American Express (AXP), Union Pacific (UNP), and Procter & Gamble (PG). Economic data will include March retail sales and pending home sales as well as a final reading on April consumer sentiment. |
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Source: YCharts.com, April 18, 2026. Weekly performance is measured from Monday, April 13 to Friday, April 17. TR = total return for the index, which includes any dividends as well as any other cash distributions during the period. Treasury note yield is expressed in basis points. |
Where Americans Moved in 2025
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"A real friend is one who walks in when the rest of the world walks out." – Walter Winchell |
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Are You Prepared for a Natural Disaster?Natural disasters, such as hurricanes, earthquakes, or wildfires, can occur at any time, so preparing before disaster strikes is essential. Here are a few tips to help you prepare in case anything happens:
These tips may help you have everything you need ready in the case of a natural disaster or other emergency. This information is not a substitute for individualized tax advice. Please consult with a qualified tax professional to discuss your specific tax issues. Tip adapted from IRS.gov8 |
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Picking Up a Creative Hobby Is About More Than Passing the TimeCreative hobbies like writing, knitting, and making clothes are about more than just passing the time. Creative hobbies and side projects can make you happier, healthier, and more productive. When considering a side project or hobby, experts suggest picking something low-risk, low-pressure, and a labor of love. The difference between a creative hobby and a side project is that a creative hobby is ongoing and doesn’t have a dedicated end goal. Side projects have a goal at the end of the tunnel. For example, your creative hobby could be writing, and your side project could be writing a book. Coming up with a project or hobby can provide a psychological lift and a boost to work productivity. Tip adapted from Fast Company9 |
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What 8-letter name would be cute and logical for a house cat living below the Mason-Dixon line? Last Week's Riddle: A ship cruised out of the Pacific Ocean and into the Atlantic Ocean through the Panama Canal, but as it went through the Panama Canal, it didn’t travel east. How is this possible? Answer: The Panama Canal runs northwest-southeast. Ships travel northwest through the canal to enter the Caribbean Sea (and the Atlantic Ocean). |
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Lençóis Maranhenses Maranhão, Brazil |
Footnotes And Sources1. WSJ.com, April 17, 2026 10. MT Newswires, YCharts.com, April 13 - 17, 2026 11. Andy Liechty & Associates: Leave The Key Homebuyers 2026 12. Visual Capitalist: Hire Helper 2026 |
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