Key insights
- The S&P 500 briefly turned positive for 2026, recovering from losses tied to the U.S.-Iran war. BlackRock raised its outlook for U.S. equities, citing a contained macro impact from the conflict and solid corporate earnings. Market sentiment is improving on hopes of a resolution to the conflict, potentially leading to further gains in U.S. equities.
The S&P 500 in midday trading on Monday briefly went into the green for 2026.
The broad based index was up nearly 0.5% on the day, putting it just up 0.05% for the year. At the closing lows of the U.S.-Iran war, the S&P was off more than 7% for 2026. The Nasdaq Composite and Dow Jones Industrial Average remain negative for the year by 0.3% and 0.8%, respectively.
Stocks have rallied back from those lows on the hopes there will be a resolution soon to the conflict in the Middle East and that its consequences to the U.S. economy so far have been minimal.
BlackRock has raised its outlook for U.S. equities, saying that a “contained” macro impact from the war as well as solid corporate earnings could create a fertile ground for future gains.
S&P 500 jumps, making up earlier losses, as investors bet Trump will get an Iran peace deal https://www.cnbc.com/2026/04/12/stock-market-today-live-updates.html?\_\_source=iosappshare%7Ccom.apple.UIKit.activity.CopyToPasteboard