Note: None of the material or content contained herein constitutes investment advice. It is solely for educational and informational purposes. Past performance is not an indicator of future performance. Sources: Fiscal.ai, Google Finance, 18 Apr 2026.
THE AUDIO BRIEF
THE RUNDOWN
Major U.S. indices recorded gains this week as investors showed resilience ahead of key Federal Reserve announcements and driven by the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz, which eased energy supply concerns and stagflation fears.
The technology-heavy Nasdaq 100 led the advance with a 5.1% increase, bolstered by its 62.48% concentration in the technology sector and strong performance from mega-cap innovators.
The S&P 500 rose 3.5%, supported by stable economic indicators and robust retail sales data. The blue-chip Dow Jones Industrial Average climbed 2.5%, benefiting from its composition of well-established companies across diverse industries like financials and industrials.
Meanwhile, the Russell 2000 gained 4.0% as sentiment improved for small-cap domestic equities. In Canada, the S&P/TSX Composite saw a more modest rise of 1.4%; while it benefits from significant exposure to the energy and materials sectors, its growth trailed the aggressive tech-led rally seen in U.S. markets.
Overall, positive corporate earnings and stabilized bond yields continue to underpin investor confidence across these global benchmarks.
MOVERS & SHAKERS
RISERS
Robinhood Markets is a financial services platform that rose 26.62% following news that the SEC will end day-trading limits for retail investors.
Coinbase is a cryptocurrency brokerage that climbed 18.22% as improved market conditions and digital asset volatility drove higher transaction revenue and trading volumes.
ON Semiconductor provides intelligent power and sensing solutions and gained 16.88% amid strong demand for AI data center and electric vehicle power technologies.
FALLERS
LyondellBasell is a chemical company that fell 12.24% following a sharp dividend reset and cooling geopolitical premiums after a U.S.-Iran ceasefire.
Dow Inc. is a materials science firm that dropped 11.24% as plunging oil prices and the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz unwound conflict-driven gains.
APA Corporation explores and produces oil and gas, falling 9.50% after the U.S.-Iran ceasefire removed the energy market’s short-term conflict premium.
SECTORS
Most sectors rallied as a U.S.-Iran ceasefire and the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz eased geopolitical tensions. Technology surged 6.00% on AI enthusiasm and strong earnings upgrades. Consumer Discretionary rose 5.70% and Industrials gained 0.45% as lower fuel costs and resilient consumer spending supported cyclicals. Conversely, Energy fell 3.66% as oil prices dropped roughly 9% with the removal of the risk premium. Materials and Utilities saw modest declines of 0.59% and 0.50% respectively, while Financials gained 1.49% following upbeat reports from major U.S. banks. Real Estate added 3.39% as bond yields stabilized.
