US stocks extended their winning streak on Thursday as markets rallied following Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s agreement to hold direct negotiations with Lebanon regarding regional hostilities.

Key Points

• The S&P 500 and Nasdaq Composite both recorded their seventh consecutive day of gains, rising 0.6% and 0.8% respectively.
• The Dow Jones Industrial Average climbed 0.6%, pushing its year-to-date performance into positive territory.
• Oil prices remained volatile, with West Texas Intermediate futures trading near $99 per barrel amid ongoing concerns over the Strait of Hormuz.
• Negotiations between Israel and Lebanon are scheduled to take place at the U.S. State Department to address the status of Hezbollah.
• Initial jobless claims rose to 219,000 for the week ending April 4, exceeding economist expectations of 210,000.

Why it Matters

The market's upward momentum reflects investor optimism that diplomatic talks could stabilize the Middle East and prevent further disruptions to global energy shipping routes. Sustained volatility in oil prices and geopolitical tensions remain critical factors that could influence future inflation data and Federal Reserve policy decisions.