Stocks rose over the shortened trading week as investors digested developments in the Middle East while the Fed held short-term rates steady.
The Standard & Poor’s 500 Index rose 0.93 percent through Thursday’s close, while the Nasdaq Composite Index gained 2.43 percent. The Dow Jones Industrial Average climbed 0.71 percent. The MSCI EAFE Index, which tracks developed overseas stock markets, advanced 0.96 percent over the same four-day period.1,2
Dow Hits 52,000
The week began with stocks rising and oil prices falling after the White House announced that the U.S. and Iran had reached an agreement over the weekend.
All three major averages climbed on Monday, ranging from 1 to 3 percent gains, while crude prices declined by roughly 5 percent.3
Tuesday was a split-screen performance. The Dow Jones Industrials rose to a record intraday high as oil prices fell, while the S&P 500 and Nasdaq slipped as investors rotated out of tech and into cyclical stocks such as banks and industrials. The Dow Industrials crossed the 52,000 threshold for the first time.4
The S&P and Nasdaq opened higher midweek as tech stocks recovered, and amid news that consumer spending unexpectedly rose in May. Investors also appeared to be in a risk-on mood as they awaited the Fed decision, confident that the Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) would hold rates steady.5
Then, on Thursday, stocks rebounded, led by chipmakers and the AI trade. The S&P 500 capped its 11th winning week of the past 12.6
Source: YCharts.com, June 20, 2026. Weekly performance is measured from Friday, June 12 to Thursday, June 18. 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.
Fed Holds, Hints at Future Hike
As expected, the Fed held rates steady at its June meeting, keeping the Fed Funds Rate at a 3.5 to 3.75 percent target range.
This was the first FOMC meeting with newly minted Fed Chair Kevin Warsh. The Fed acknowledged the tick up in inflation this year, and Warsh reemphasized the Fed’s goal of a 2 percent inflation rate at the post-meeting press conference.7
This Week: Key Economic Data
Tuesday: Purchasing Managers Index (PMI)-Services. Purchasing Managers Index (PMI)-Manufacturing.
Wednesday: New Home Sales. Leading Economic Indicators.
Thursday: Weekly Jobless Claims. Personal Consumption Expenditures (PCE) Index. Durable Goods. Gross Domestic Product (GDP)-Q1 revision. Chicago Fed President Austan Goolsbee speaks.
Friday: Trade Balance in Goods. Retail Inventories. Wholesale Inventories. Consumer Sentiment.
Source: Investor’s Business Daily – Econoday economic calendar: June 18, 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: FedEx Corporation (FDX)
Wednesday: Micron Technology, Inc. (MU)
Source: Zacks, June 18, 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.
“Character is much easier kept than recovered.”
– Thomas Paine
Avocados: So Much More Than Toast
By now, avocado toast is practically a classic, but this creamy, nutrient-dense fruit has plenty more to offer. Rich in healthy fats, fiber, potassium, and vitamin C, avocados are as good for you as they are versatile. Swap out mayonnaise for mashed avocado in sandwiches and wraps, blend it into a smoothie for a silky texture boost, or stir it into pasta as a dairy-free sauce base. Once you start thinking of avocado as a cooking ingredient rather than just a topping, the possibilities are endless.
Tip adapted from Healthline8
Sicily, Italy: History, Food, and Hidden Connections
Sicily is one of those destinations that gets under your skin in the best possible way. Whether you’re tracing family roots, savoring world-class cuisine, or simply wandering through ancient hilltop villages, this southern Italian island rewards slow, curious travel. Stay in a boutique hotel, rent a private villa, or spend an afternoon cooking with a local family; the island’s warmth and character shine through at every turn. With major airports in both Palermo and Catania, getting there is easier than you might expect.
Tip adapted from TravelandLeisure.com9
What force and strength cannot get through, it with gentle touch can do. People in many halls would stand were it not in their hand. What is it?
Last Week’s Riddle: Your mother’s brother’s only brother-in-law is taking a picture of you. How is he more closely related to you?
Answer: He is also your father.
Floriano Falls, Iguazu Falls
Paraná, Brazil
Footnotes and Sources
1. WSJ.com, June 18, 2026
2. Investing.com, June 18, 2026
3. CNBC.com, June 15, 2026
4. CNBC.com, June 16, 2026
5. WSJ.com, June 17, 2026
6. CNBC.com, June 18, 2026
7. WSJ.com, June 17, 2026
8. Healthline, April 14, 2026
9. TravelandLeisure.com, April 12, 2026