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 percent, while the Nasdaq Composite Index picked up 6.84 percent. The Dow Jones Industrial Average advanced 3.19 percent. The MSCI EAFE Index, which tracks developed overseas stock markets, increased 2.15 percent.1,2
Shift to “Risk-On” from “Risk-Off”
Stocks continued to ride the hopeful sentiment of a ceasefire at the start of last week, with all three averages advancing. The S&P 500 has recouped all its losses since the start of the war.3
Momentum accelerated through midweek as investors shifted from “risk-off” to “risk-on.” The White House signaled that the war was “very close to over” amid reports that further talks were under discussion.
At Wednesday’s close, the S&P advanced for the 10th time out of the last 11 trading sessions, while the Nasdaq marked its 11th straight close in the green.4
Stocks pushed higher again on Thursday, with the Nasdaq recording its longest winning streak since 2009. The week wrapped on a high note after Iran’s foreign minister announced the Strait of Hormuz was “completely open” as negotiations continue. Oil prices dropped by roughly 10 percent on Friday, sparking another solid day on Wall Street.5,6
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.
Record-Setting Week
Last week was one for record-breaking. By midweek, the S&P 500 and Nasdaq hit all-time highs. The S&P broke 7,000 for the first time, while the Nasdaq topped 24,000 for the first time.
The shift from “risk-off” to “risk-on” pushed the S&P over the 7,100 threshold for the first time on Friday. And the Nasdaq ended the week on a 13-day win streak, the longest positive streak since 1992. The Dow Industrials closed at 49,447.43, just below its all-time high set in early February 2026.7
This Week: Key Economic Data
Tuesday: Retail Sales. Business Inventories. Leading Economic Indicators. Pending Home Sales.
Wednesday: EIA Petroleum Report. Atlanta Fed Business Inflation Expectations.
Thursday: Weekly Jobless Claims. Purchasing Managers Index (PMI)-Services. Purchasing Managers Index (PMI)-Manufacturing. Fed Balance Sheet. EIA Natural Gas Report.
Friday: Consumer Sentiment.
Source: Investors Business Daily – Econoday economic calendar; April 17, 2026. The Econoday economic calendar lists upcoming U.S. economic data releases (including key economic indicators), Federal Reserve policy meetings, and speaking engagements of Federal Reserve officials. The content is developed from sources believed to provide accurate information. The forecasts or forward-looking statements are based on assumptions and may not materialize. The forecasts are also subject to revision.
This Week: Companies Reporting Earnings
Tuesday: GE Aerospace (GE), UnitedHealth Group Incorporated (UNH), RTX Corporation (RTX), Intuitive Surgical, Inc. (ISRG), Danaher Corporation (DHR), Interactive Brokers Group, Inc. (IBKR), Capital One Financial Corporation (COF), Northrop Grumman Corporation (NOC)
Wednesday: Tesla, Inc. (TSLA), Lam Research Corporation (LRCX), GE Vernova Inc. (GEV), Philip Morris International Inc. (PM), International Business Machines Corporation (IBM), Texas Instruments Incorporated (TXN), AT&T Inc. (T), The Boeing Company (BA), Vertiv Holdings Co. (VRT), CME Group Inc. (CME)
Thursday: Intel Corporation (INTC), American Express (AXP), Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc. (TMO), NextEra Energy, Inc. (NEE), Union Pacific Corporation (UNP), Honeywell International Inc. (HON), Lockheed Martin Corporation (LMT), Newmont Corporation (NEM), Comcast Corporation (CMCSA)
Friday: The Procter & Gamble Company (PG), Southern Copper Corporation (SCCO), HCA Healthcare, Inc. (HCA)
Source: Zacks, April 17, 2026. Companies mentioned are for informational purposes only. It should not be considered a solicitation for the purchase or sale of the securities. Investing involves risks, and investment decisions should be based on your goals, time horizon, and risk tolerance. The return and principal value of investments will fluctuate as market conditions change. When sold, investments may be worth more or less than their original cost. Companies may reschedule their earnings reports without notice.
“A real friend is one who walks in when the rest of the world walks out.”
– Walter Winchell
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:
- Update Your Family’s Emergency Strategy: These can include knowing where to go, where you keep all necessary documents and possessions, and what you need to be prepared for. Check these regularly, as circumstances can change.
- Create Digital Copies of Important Documents: Most financial organizations, such as banks and insurance companies, provide digital copies of bank statements, tax returns, and insurance policies anyway, and keeping all these digital copies saved and organized is an excellent practice to get into. If you only have paper copies of important documents, scan them and store them securely for emergency access.
- Document Valuables: Documenting valuables makes it easier to claim insurance and tax benefits after a natural disaster. A disaster loss workbook will help you compile a list of belongings and photographs that can make this process even more accessible for both the IRS and your insurance provider.
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
Picking Up a Creative Hobby Is About More Than Passing the Time
Creative 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
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).
Lençóis Maranhenses
Maranhão, Brazil
Footnotes and Sources
1. WSJ.com, April 17, 2026
2. Investing.com, April 17, 2026
3. CNBC.com, April 13, 2026
4. CNBC.com, April 15, 2026
5. CNBC.com, April 16, 2026
6. WSJ.com, April 17, 2026
7. CNBC.com, April 15, 2026
8. IRS.gov, September 25, 2025
9. Fastcompany.com, November 17, 2025