S&P 500 Hits Record Close as U.S.-Iran Diplomacy Eases Geopolitical Risk Premium

The S&P 500 closed at a record 7,022.95 on April 15, 2026, marking its first all-time closing high since late January. The rise followed a broad risk-on shift triggered by optimism around U.S.-Iran diplomacy and the potential for a ceasefire extension. This shift reduced demand for safe-haven assets like gold, which fell 1.05% to $4,791 per troy ounce. The Nasdaq Composite, meanwhile, climbed 1.59% to 24,016.02, logging its 11th consecutive daily gain. Bitcoin held near $74,175, supported by institutional demand and inflows into spot ETFs. Energy and industrial sectors lagged as falling oil prices pressured earnings expectations for those industries.