EOD Brief — Thu., April 16, 2026

Stocks hit fresh records as traders shrug off Iran risk even with oil back near $100

• S&P 500 posts another record close and Nasdaq logs its longest winning streak since 2009 as buyers push into the close despite Brent rising 4.7% to $99.39
• Brent settles near $100 and WTI jumps 3.7% as US-Iran talks remain uncertain, Hormuz stays blocked and Washington enforces the blockade with 12-plus ships, 100-plus aircraft and 10,000 troops
• US officials notify European countries of weapons delivery delays because of the Iran war, while Israel-Lebanon ceasefire terms allow Israel to keep striking imminent threats
• Buy-side demand stays strong with a $2.8 billion S&P 500 closing imbalance, $1.6 billion into Nasdaq 100 and $875 million into Mag 7
• Washington expands pressure on Tehran with sanctions on Iran’s oil transportation infrastructure while loading Venezuelan heavy crude and urging Europe to buy more US oil and gas