Stock Market Today: S&P 500, Dow Jones & Nasdaq — Live Updates March 2026

The stock market today closed higher on Wednesday, March 25, 2026, as ceasefire hopes between the U.S. and Iran lifted investor sentiment. The S&P 500 rose 0.54% to 6,591.90, the Dow Jones Industrial Average gained 305 points (+0.66%) to close at 46,429, and the Nasdaq Composite advanced 0.77% to 21,929. Oil prices retreated below $97 per barrel after reports that Iran received a 15-point U.S. peace proposal, easing fears of further supply disruptions through the Strait of Hormuz.

Stock Market Today — Live Index Data

As of the market close on Wednesday, March 25, 2026:

Index	Level	Change	YTD
S&P 500	6,591.90	+0.54%	-5.8%
Dow Jones	46,429.49	+0.66%	-4.2%
Nasdaq Composite	21,929.83	+0.77%	-8.1%
Russell 2000	2,890	+0.41%	-12.3%
VIX (Fear Index)	24.8	-1.2	+65%
WTI Crude Oil	$90.12/bbl	-4.8%	+28%
Brent Crude	$96.80/bbl	-3.2%	+31%
10-Year Treasury	4.18%	-0.03	+0.42%

Why the Stock Market Is Moving Today

Three forces drove Wednesday’s rally. First, the Associated Press reported that Iran received a 15-point U.S. ceasefire proposal delivered through Pakistani intermediaries. While Iran’s state media signaled rejection of the plan, the mere existence of formal negotiations pulled crude oil below $97 for the first time in ten days. Second, the retreat in oil prices immediately eased inflation fears. West Texas Intermediate crude dropped 4.8% to $90.12, its sharpest single-day decline since the conflict began on March 1. Lower oil reduces input costs across the economy and gives the Federal Reserve more room to consider rate cuts later in the year. Third, technology stocks rebounded after five straight sessions of losses. Semiconductor names led the charge, with AMD jumping over 7% and Nvidia gaining 2% as investors rotated back into growth after the oversold conditions of the prior week.

Sector Performance

Technology (+1.3%): The stock market today saw tech as the best-performing sector as the Nasdaq outpaced other indexes. AI-related stocks recovered from last week’s 8% drawdown. Nvidia rose 2%, while AMD and Intel each gained over 7% on renewed data center spending optimism. Microsoft added 0.8%, continuing its relative resilience thanks to $625 billion in committed Azure contracts.

Energy (-2.1%): The only sector in the red as oil’s retreat dragged down producers. ExxonMobil fell 1.8% and Chevron dropped 2.3%. Paradoxically, lower oil is negative for energy stocks but positive for the broader market and consumer spending.

Financials (+0.9%): Banks gained as the yield curve stabilized. JPMorgan rose 1.1% and Goldman Sachs added 0.7%. Lower oil reduces recession risk, which supports lending activity and credit quality.

Consumer Discretionary (+0.6%): Tesla gained 1.2% after five sessions of declines. Amazon rose 0.8% as lower energy costs support consumer spending power.

Global Markets Overview

The stock market today reflected a global risk-on mood. Asian markets closed higher overnight. South Korea’s Kospi jumped 1.59% to 5,642, Australia’s ASX 200 rose 1.85% to 8,534, and Japan’s Nikkei gained 0.9%. Chinese markets were mixed, with the Shanghai Composite up 0.3% as investors weighed the impact of lower oil on China’s import bill against ongoing property sector weakness. European markets rallied strongly. The Euro Stoxx 600 gained 1.1%, led by technology and luxury goods sectors. Germany’s DAX rose 1.3% and the UK’s FTSE 100 added 0.8%. European defense stocks pulled back 2-3% on ceasefire speculation after a massive run-up since the Iran conflict began.

The Iran Conflict and Market Impact

The stock market today remains shaped by the U.S.-Iran war, now in its fourth week, which has been the dominant driver of 2026. Since hostilities began on March 1, the S&P 500 has fallen roughly 6%, WTI crude has surged from $72 to a peak of $112 before retreating, and the VIX fear gauge has doubled from 13 to 25. The conflict has disrupted oil flows through the Strait of Hormuz, through which roughly 20% of the world’s oil passes daily. Iraq declared force majeure on foreign-operated oilfields, Kuwait’s refineries were hit by drone strikes, and Iran threatened U.S.-allied energy infrastructure across the Gulf. Each escalation triggered a sell-off in equities and a spike in crude. Wednesday’s tentative ceasefire signals represent the first meaningful de-escalation since fighting began.

Federal Reserve and Interest Rates

The Federal Reserve held the fed funds rate at 3.5%-3.75% at its March meeting, caught in a policy bind. Oil-driven inflation is pushing consumer prices higher (February PPI rose 0.7%, with core PPI up 0.5%), but tightening further risks tipping the economy into recession during a geopolitical crisis. Fed Chair Powell signaled “patience” and a data-dependent approach. The next FOMC meeting is May 6-7, and markets currently price a 35% probability of a 25-basis-point cut by June, up from 15% before the war began. If oil sustains its retreat below $95, that probability will rise further.

Key Stocks to Watch

Apple trades at $244 after declining 12% YTD. The iPhone 17 cycle provides support, but tariff uncertainty and weakening consumer confidence weigh on the stock. Nvidia at $179 remains the AI bellwether, recovering from its recent dip below $170. The stock is down 18% from its February high but analysts maintain a median target of $235. Microsoft at $373 has been the most resilient of the Magnificent Seven, supported by its $625 billion backlog. Tesla at $234 is the most volatile, down 34% YTD on a combination of brand damage, competition, and tariff fears.

What Moves the Stock Market

Understanding what drives the stock market today requires knowing the fundamentals. Stock prices are driven by a combination of factors that interact in complex ways. Interest rates are the single most important variable. When the Federal Reserve raises rates, borrowing costs increase across the economy, corporate earnings face pressure, and stocks typically decline. When rates fall, the opposite occurs. Corporate earnings provide the fundamental valuation anchor. The S&P 500’s collective earnings determine whether the market is cheap or expensive relative to history. Inflation erodes purchasing power and forces the Fed to tighten policy, creating a headwind for equities. Currently, oil-driven inflation is the primary concern. Geopolitical events inject uncertainty, which markets hate. The Iran conflict demonstrates how a regional war can ripple through global energy markets, supply chains, and investor confidence within days.

YTD Market Performance

2026 has been a tale of two halves. January started strong, with the S&P 500 hitting a new all-time high above 7,000 on AI optimism and rate cut expectations. Then came the double shock: first, Trump’s escalating tariff threats in February sent markets into a 10% correction. Before the market could recover, the Iran conflict erupted on March 1, triggering a further 6% decline driven by oil spikes and supply chain fears. The net result: the S&P 500 is down 5.8% YTD, the Nasdaq is down 8.1%, and the small-cap Russell 2000 has entered correction territory at -12.3%. The only major asset class in positive territory is commodities, with oil up 28%, gold up 35%, and defense stocks up 22%.

What Investors Should Watch Next

Looking ahead, the stock market today faces several catalysts. Thursday brings the Q4 2025 GDP revision, which could confirm whether the economy maintained its 2.3% growth rate or softened heading into the conflict. Friday’s PCE inflation data (the Fed’s preferred gauge) is the week’s most important release. Core PCE above 3% would signal that oil-driven inflation is broadening, making rate cuts less likely. The U.S.-Iran negotiations remain the wildcard. Any confirmed ceasefire would trigger a sharp rally in equities and a corresponding drop in oil and gold. Conversely, a breakdown in talks or escalation of hostilities could push the S&P 500 toward 6,200, its next major support level. EIA forecasts oil prices to stabilize below $80 by Q3 2026 if the conflict resolves. Q1 2026 earnings season begins in mid-April, with bank earnings kicking off April 11. Analysts expect S&P 500 earnings growth of 8% year-over-year, but energy cost headwinds could compress margins in consumer-facing and industrial sectors.

This is a developing story. Market conditions are updated regularly.

Fatimah Misbha — Financial markets and global economy analyst at TECHi.

U.S. Stock Market Hours and Holiday Schedule

The New York Stock Exchange and NASDAQ operate Monday through Friday. Regular trading runs from 9:30 AM to 4:00 PM Eastern Time. Pre-market trading opens at 4:00 AM ET, and after-hours trading extends to 8:00 PM ET. The market closes on nine federal holidays: New Year’s Day, Martin Luther King Jr. Day, Presidents’ Day, Good Friday, Memorial Day, Juneteenth, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving, and Christmas Day. On the days before Independence Day, Thanksgiving, and Christmas, markets close early at 1:00 PM ET.