On April 13, 2026, stock indexes are showing slight declines with the S&P 500 down 0.15% and the Nasdaq 100 down 0.21%, following record highs. Economic news is mixed; initial unemployment claims decreased by 11,000 to 207,000, while the Philadelphia Fed business outlook survey rose unexpectedly to a 15-month high of 26.7. However, U.S. manufacturing production fell by 0.1%, contrary to expectations of a 0.1% increase.
The U.S. naval blockade of the Strait of Hormuz, now in its fourth day, is contributing to a more than 1% increase in WTI crude oil prices. About one-fifth of the world’s oil transits through this strait. Amid these developments, the U.S. is weighing an extension to its ceasefire agreement with Iran, which is set to expire soon.
Current projections for Q1 S&P 500 earnings suggest a growth of 12% year-over-year, according to Bloomberg Intelligence, driven primarily by the technology sector, while excluding it, the increase is only about 3%. International markets posted gains, with Japan’s Nikkei Stock 225 reaching a record high, up 2.38%.
