April 2026 marked a powerful rebound in global equity markets, as sentiment shifted decisively from March’s risk-off tone to renewed optimism. The key catalyst was a de-escalation in Middle East tensions, including a temporary ceasefire involving Iran and the partial reopening of the Strait of Hormuz, which helped stabilize energy markets and reduce geopolitical uncertainty. As oil prices became less volatile, equities rallied sharply from their March lows, with major U.S. indices quickly recovering and, in many cases, approaching or reaching new highs.