From the Desk - Economic Commentary
Brandon Casey, Member Strategies - 4/17/2026
U.S. equity markets rallied Friday after Iran announced that the Strait of Hormuz is fully open, easing concerns about potential disruptions to global energy trade. The announcement followed news that Israel and Lebanon have reached a 10-day ceasefire agreement, helping to reduce near-term geopolitical tensions. In early trading, all three major averages are higher by at least 1%, with both the S&P 500 and Nasdaq reaching new record intraday highs. The advance also places each of the major indexes on track for solid gains for the week, reflecting an improvement in investor risk appetite as signs of de-escalation emerge.
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