US stocks rose on Wednesday after President Donald Trump extended the ceasefire with Iran, easing immediate concern about a wider escalation in the Middle East. The Dow Jones Industrial Average gained 358 points, or 0.72%, to 49,511. The S&P 500 rose 0.65% to 7,120, and the NASDAQ Composite added 1.16% to 24,500.
The market moved higher after two weaker sessions tied to concern over the ceasefire deadline and stalled diplomacy. Wednesday’s advance came as investors responded to the extension while continuing to monitor tensions around the Strait of Hormuz. Brent crude remained near $99.15 a barrel, and US crude traded near $90.20.
Trading data showed that the gains extended across the market. Advancing stocks outnumbered decliners by 3.06-to-1 on the New York Stock Exchange and by 2.63-to-1 on the NASDAQ. The S&P 500 recorded 26 new 52-week highs and one new low, while the NASDAQ Composite posted 79 new highs and 26 new lows.
The Dow, S&P 500, and NASDAQ all moved higher as the ceasefire extension reduced immediate geopolitical pressure on risk assets. Investors had entered the session after two straight declines in US equities. Wednesday’s move marked a return to buying across large-cap stocks.
The NASDAQ and S&P 500 drew their biggest support from technology shares. Information technology stocks rose 0.6%, making the sector the largest boost for both indexes during the session. That strength helped the NASDAQ outperform the Dow.
The market also absorbed continued uncertainty in the Middle East without reversing lower. Rick Gardner, chief investment officer at RGA Investments, said markets may continue to face negative headlines, ultimatums, and negotiation deadlines, but added that stocks may not react meaningfully to each development because investors had already priced in the worst of the conflict during the March lows.
Oil prices stayed elevated as traders followed the continued disruption around the Strait of Hormuz. Brent crude remained close to the $100-a-barrel level, keeping inflation concerns in focus. That backdrop lifted the S&P 500 energy sector by 1.2%.
Semiconductor stocks also remained a major source of strength. The Philadelphia Semiconductor Index hit a fresh peak and stayed on track for a 16th straight day of gains. That marked its longest winning streak on record and added momentum to the broader technology trade.
Among individual chip-related and technology-linked names, Seagate rose 2.2% after Barclays upgraded the data storage company to overweight. Adobe gained 3.2% after announcing a share repurchase program worth up to $25 billion. Robinhood added 2.9% after its venture fund invested $75 million in OpenAI.
Corporate earnings added another source of support for the broader market. Boeing reported first-quarter revenue of $22.2 billion and a core loss of 20 cents per share, both better than expected. Its shares rose 1.6%, making the stock one of the biggest contributors to the Dow’s advance. Boeing also reported a much smaller net loss than a year earlier as deliveries improved during the quarter.
GE Vernova recorded one of the session’s biggest gains. Its stock climbed 13.3% after the power equipment maker raised its annual revenue forecast. The company now expects 2026 revenue of $44.5 billion to $45.5 billion, supported by demand tied to electricity needs from data centers and artificial intelligence workloads.
Boston Scientific also rose 8.2% after first-quarter results. United Airlines moved lower and fell 3.7% after forecasting second-quarter and full-year profit below Wall Street estimates as higher jet fuel prices pressured margins. Those moves showed that company-specific results remained an important driver of trading alongside geopolitical developments.
Investors are still watching oil closely because crude prices remain high even after the ceasefire extension. Brent crude near $100 a barrel keeps inflation risk in the market’s line of sight. Continued disruption around the Strait of Hormuz also leaves energy supply concerns unresolved.
The next round of earnings is also in focus. Tesla, Texas Instruments, and Southwest Airlines were scheduled to report after the market closed. Their results are expected to provide fresh signals on consumer demand, chip spending, and the effect of fuel costs on transportation companies.
The broader earnings backdrop has remained firm. Data cited from Goldman Sachs showed that S&P 500 earnings-per-share estimates for 2026 and 2027 have risen 4% since late January. That trend, together with geopolitical developments and oil prices, remains central to the market outlook after Wednesday’s gains in the Dow, S&P 500, and NASDAQ.
Also Read: US Stock Market Today: Wall Street Slips From Record Highs as Renewed US-Iran Tensions Weigh