Nasdaq posts 11th consecutive gain as S&P 500 closes at record high amid Iran peace talks

Hopes for improved relations between the United States and Iran on April 15, 2026, triggered a broad shift toward risk assets across global markets, lifting equities, pressuring gold, and helping Bitcoin hold near multi-week highs amid institutional demand.

Key takeaways:

• On April 15, 2026, gold prices fell 1.05% to $4,791 as improving U.S.-Iran diplomatic relations reduced demand for COMEX as a safe haven.
• The Nasdaq Composite rose 1.59% to 24,016.02, marking its 11th consecutive daily gain driven by strength in the technology sector.
• Bitcoin held near $74,175 above key support levels, supported by inflows into spot ETFs despite resistance at $75,000.
  The S&P 500 set an all-time high at 7,022.

Gold pulled back from an intraday high of $4,871.51 on COMEX, settling near $4,800 per ounce, reflecting a decline of approximately 1.05% for the day. Traders reduced positions in safe-haven assets following increased optimism around potential U.S.-Iran negotiations and a possible extension of a ceasefire, easing concerns over oil supply disruptions through the Strait of Hormuz.

A weaker U.S. dollar, hovering near a six-week low, provided some support to gold, but profit-taking and shifting risk sentiment dominated. Technical levels remained in focus, with analysts noting that a sustained move above $4,900 would be required to maintain the uptrend.

Silver moved in the opposite direction, gaining about 1.6% and closing near $80.87 per ounce. Expectations of industrial demand and a weaker dollar drove the move, with intraday levels holding between $79 and above $80 throughout the session.

The S&P 500 closed at a record 7,022.95, rising 0.80% on the day, marking its first record closing high since late January. Buying was broad-based beyond energy and industrial sectors, which lagged amid declining oil prices.

S&P 500 April 15, 2026, TradingView data.

The Nasdaq Composite rose 1.59% to 24,016.02, marking its 11th consecutive daily gain. MarketWatch described it as one of the longest winning streaks in recent years, with technology stocks driving most of the session’s gains.

The Dow Jones Industrial Average fell 0.15% to 48,463.72. Cyclical sectors tied to energy and industry weighed on the index as falling oil prices reduced short-term earnings outlooks.

“Higher for longer” stance persists

The yield on the 10-year U.S. Treasury opened at 4.242% on April 15, down from early April highs near 4.34% after March CPI data showed a 0.9% monthly increase — the largest since June 2022 — bringing the annual rate to 3.3%. Core inflation came in below the headline figure, but pressure from the energy sector limited expectations for rate cuts.

Federal funds futures and the CME FedWatch tool continue to reflect a “higher for longer” outlook, with markets expecting the Federal Reserve to maintain rates at 3.5%–3.75% through May. Uncertainty surrounding the planned departure of Fed Chair Jerome Powell adds further caution to rate projections.

Bitcoin opened near $74,175, down about 0.4% on the day, but held above key support levels. The asset has gained approximately 12.3% since geopolitical tensions escalated earlier in the month, supported by continued institutional inflows into spot ETFs. The $75,000 and $76,000 levels remain strong resistance zones.

ETF demand continues to provide structural support for Bitcoin, alongside purchases from firms like Strategy, helping to limit the impact of risks tied to ongoing developments around Iran.

Markets across all asset classes remain sensitive to any breakdown in ceasefire negotiations or new energy shocks that could reignite inflationary pressures and demand for safe-haven assets.

See also: "Loss of the largest Ethereum holder exceeded $3.8 billion"

#Nasdaq #S&P 500

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