Trending Now - Global Markets Remain Resilient Amid Ongoing Iran Conflict
WHO:
CNN - Seema Shah, Principal Asset Management chief global strategist, discussed the outlook for US equities amid recent geopolitical tensions and rising oil prices.
CNN - Rick Gardner, chief investment officer at RGA Investments
CNN - Venu Krishna, head of US equity strategy at Barclays
CNN - Louis Navellier, founder and CIO at Navellier & Associates
CNN - Kristina Hooper, chief market strategist at investment firm Man Group
CNN - Matt Maley, chief market strategist at Miller Tabak + Co
Bloomberg Markets - Global stock markets, including those in the US, Taiwan, and South Korea
WHAT:
AP News - The S&P 500 closed at a record 7,137.90 on April 20th, 2026.
AP News - A little more than 15% of S&P 500 companies have reported profits for the first three months of 2026, with the majority exceeding analysts' expectations.
AP News - Analysts forecast S&P 500 profits to grow by 20% in the second quarter of 2026.
Bloomberg Markets - The tech sector is estimated to account for 60% of earnings growth in 2026, according to analysts at research firm Strategas.
CNN - The tech sector is now the best performing sector in the S&P 500 for April 2026.
CNN - Venu Krishna raised his year-end target for the S&P 500 from 7,400 points to 7,650 points on March 24th, 2026.
CNN - The S&P 500 and Nasdaq Composite hit record highs on April 20th, 2026.
CNN - The S&P 500 has rallied more than 12% and the Nasdaq Composite more than 18% since March 30th, 2026.
CNN - The S&P 500 is up nearly 4% since the war with Iran began, while the Nasdaq is up nearly 9%.
CNN - 86% of S&P 500 companies that reported quarterly earnings as of April 20th, 2026, beat expectations for earnings per share.
CNN - The tech sector is estimated to account for 60% of earnings growth in 2026.
CNN - A year-end target for the S&P 500 was raised from 7,400 points to 7,650 points.
CNN - President Trump’s announcements have historically influenced market rallies.
WHERE:
CNN - The Strait of Hormuz, a critical artery for the global economy, remains closed.
Bloomberg Markets - Global stock markets, specifically in the US, Taiwan, and South Korea.
WHEN:
CNN - The war with Iran began on March 24th, 2026.
CNN - The S&P 500 was down nearly 5% on March 24th, 2026.
CNN - Nearly a fifth of S&P 500 companies reported quarterly earnings as of April 20th, 2026.
WHY:
AP News - Analysts have raised their expectations for upcoming profits for S&P 500 companies since the war began.
CNN - Investors are optimistic about spending on AI and defense as core drivers of the market rally.
CNN - Investors are optimistic about US corporate earnings season and believe the oil shock will not last long enough to severely hinder economic growth.
CNN - The tech sell-off earlier in the year created a buying opportunity for investors.
HOW:
AP News - Bank of America’s CEO Brian Moynihan reported healthy client activity, including solid consumer spending and stable asset quality, indicating a resilient American economy.
CNN - Investors have learned to "buy the dip" when stocks fall, betting on a rebound, influenced by President Trump's announcements that have historically spurred market rallies.
CNN - Wall Street is in the midst of earnings season, with companies reporting quarterly earnings.
CNN - Investors have learned to "buy the dip" when stocks fall, betting on a rebound.
(UPDATED April 23, 2026 15:36 UTC)
The S&P 500 closed at a record 7,137.90 on Monday, with over 15% of its companies reporting profits for the first quarter, most of which exceeded analysts' expectations. Analysts are now forecasting a 20% growth in profits for the second quarter, with the tech sector expected to contribute 60% of that growth. Bank of America’s CEO Brian Moynihan noted healthy client activity and stable asset quality, reflecting a resilient American economy.
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(UPDATED April 23, 2026 13:24 UTC)
Seema Shah, the chief global strategist at Principal Asset Management, discussed the outlook for US equities amid rising geopolitical tensions and increasing oil prices. The tech sector has emerged as the best performing sector in the S&P 500 for on Monday26, with Venu Krishna raising his year-end target for the index from 7,400 to 7,650 points just last month. Investors are feeling optimistic about spending on AI and defense as key drivers of the market rally, and they have adopted a strategy of "buying the dip," influenced by President Trump's announcements that have historically boosted market performance.
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(UPDATED April 23, 2026 11:22 UTC)
Global stock markets, including those in the US, Taiwan, and South Korea, have seen significant gains, with the S&P 500 and Nasdaq Composite reaching record highs on Monday. Since March 30th, the S&P 500 has rallied more than 12% and the Nasdaq Composite over 18%, fueled by strong corporate earnings, as 86% of S&P 500 companies that reported beat expectations. Despite the ongoing war with Iran, which began March 24th, investors remain optimistic, believing the oil shock won't severely impact economic growth and viewing the recent tech sell-off as a buying opportunity.