S&P 500 hits record high as investors shrug off Iran war fears
With another round of U.S.-Iran peace talks on the horizon, investors are optimistic that the war will wind down.
Updated on: April 15, 2026 / 4:13 PM EDT / CBS News
The S&P 500 surged to a new all-time high on Wednesday, as investors shrug off the hottest inflation in nearly two years and ongoing concerns about the economic impact of the Iran war .
The broad-based index climbed 56 points, or 0.8%, to close at 7,023, topping its previous high of 6,979 on January 27. The Nasdaq Composite Index also ended in record terrain, jumping 377 points, or 1.6%, to 24,016, eclipsing its previous record of 23,958 in October 2025. The Nasdaq has seen 10 consecutive days of gains, its longest streak since 2021, Mark Hackett, chief market strategist for Nationwide, said in an email.
The Dow Jones Industrial Average dropped 72 points, or 0.2%.
The rally marks a sharp reversal from late March, when the Dow fell into correction territory — a drop of at least 10% from its recent high — after five straight weeks of losses, underscoring how quickly investor sentiment has shifted.
Although the war has taken a toll on the U.S. economy, driving up gasoline prices and boosting inflation , the stock market has shown resilience, fueled by investor optimism that the conflict in the Middle East will eventually blow over.