Stocks Climb as Hopes for U.S.-Iran Deal Offset Regional Strike Fears

Global equity markets moved higher on May 26 as investors responded to signs of progress in U.S.-Iran negotiations, even as military tensions in the region continued to unsettle energy markets.

U.S. shares rose sharply, catching up with gains seen earlier in overseas markets, after President Donald Trump said talks with Iran were “proceeding nicely” toward an agreement. The improved tone helped lift the S&P 500, the Dow Jones Industrial Average and the Nasdaq composite, with major indexes moving near or to record levels.

The rally reflected a broader risk-on mood in financial markets. Investors looked past reports of U.S. military self-defense strikes in southern Iran and focused instead on the possibility that a negotiated outcome could reduce the risk of a wider disruption in the Middle East.

Energy markets remained more unsettled. Brent crude rose, recovering part of a previous plunge, while U.S. crude declined. The conflict’s potential implications for the Strait of Hormuz continued to weigh on oil trading and inflation expectations.

The prospect of easing tensions also supported shares of companies exposed to fuel costs, as investors weighed whether a diplomatic resolution could reduce pressure on energy prices. Still, the mixed performance in crude benchmarks underscored the continuing uncertainty surrounding the region and its importance to global inflation and financial conditions.