Emerging
Jun 18, 20261
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US Stock Markets Rise on Geopolitical Relief; Oil Steadies After US-Iran Peace Agreement
US stock markets closed higher on Thursday as investors welcomed news of a US-Iran peace agreement and the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz. The S&P 500 rose 1.1%, while the Nasdaq jumped 1.9%, with strong year-to-date performance continuing across major indices.
Quick Facts
Who
United States
What
US-Iran peace agreement signed
When
Thursday, June 18, 2026
Where
Wall Street
- US-Iran peace agreement signed
- Strait of Hormuz reopened to oil tanker traffic
- Stock market recovery
- Treasury yields eased
- Federal Reserve expected to raise interest rates
US stock markets closed higher on Thursday, June 18, 2026, recovering most losses from the previous session as investors responded positively to news of a US-Iran peace agreement. The S&P 500 rose 1.1% to 7,500.58, the Nasdaq composite jumped 1.9% to 26,517.93, and the Dow Jones Industrial Average added 0.1% to 51,564.70. The Russell 2000 index of smaller companies outperformed, rising 2.1% to 2,979.77.
The agreement between the United States and Iran to end their war and reopen the Strait of Hormuz for oil tanker traffic provided relief to energy markets, though crude oil prices showed mixed movement following the announcement. Treasury yields eased in the bond market after rising the previous day on expectations that the Federal Reserve would likely raise interest rates this year as part of efforts to combat inflation.
For the week ending Thursday, the S&P 500 gained 0.9%, the Dow rose 0.7%, the Nasdaq advanced 2.4%, and the Russell 2000 increased 1.2%. Year-to-date performance remained strong, with the S&P 500 up 9.6%, the Dow up 7.3%, the Nasdaq up 14.1%, and the Russell 2000 leading with a 20.1% gain. US markets will remain closed on Friday, June 19, for the Juneteenth holiday.
Why This Matters
This agreement significantly reduces geopolitical risk in a critical global shipping lane, lowering oil price uncertainty and potentially stabilizing energy costs for consumers and businesses. Market gains across multiple indices suggest renewed investor confidence in economic stability, which can influence investment portfolios, interest rates, and employment prospects—making this relevant for anyone with savings, retirement accounts, or income exposure to the economy.
Timeline & Sources
Jun 18, 2026
WireUS-Iran peace agreement signed; Strait of Hormuz reopened
Jun 18, 2026
WireStock markets close higher; S&P 500 +1.1%, Nasdaq +1.9%, Dow +0.1%
Jun 18, 2026
WireTreasury yields ease in bond market
Jun 19, 2026
WireUS markets closed for Juneteenth holiday