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Weekly Market Commentary: Stocks Hit All-Time Highs as Middle East Tensions Ease
04/20/26
Sunflower Bank Weekly Market Commentary: April 20, 2026
Each week, our Wealth Management team analyzes the U.S. stock market and bond market activity and news of the previous week, summarizing their findings into a weekly market update report. The key points of this week's commentary, "Stocks Hit All-Time Highs As Middle East Tensions Ease," include:
- Equities reached fresh all-time highs last week as diplomacy in the Middle East showed signs of progress. The S&P 500 and the Nasdaq 100 both had their best weeks of the year, rising +4.5% and +6.2%, respectively.
- The driver of recent equity market returns is the decline in crude oil prices. Oil prices have fallen significantly from recent highs. The price of front-month WTI Crude futures ended the week at $84 per barrel, down more than -25% from the closing high of $113 per barrel hit earlier this month.
- Bond yields have also come down substantially as traders see a reduced risk of a sustained energy-price shock. The yield on the 10-year Treasury Bond ended the week at 4.25%, down almost 20 basis points from its recent closing high. The yield on 2-year Treasurys has dropped almost 30 basis points from its high.
- Turning to corporate fundamentals, the 1Q26 earnings season kicked off last week. According analysts surveyed by Factset, combined earnings of S&P 500 companies are expected to have grown at a +13% year-over-year rate in the first quarter. If earnings grow as expected, this would be the sixth consecutive quarter of double-digit year-over-year growth for the Index.
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This article contains general information only. Sunflower Bank, N.A. is not, by means of this article, rendering accounting, financial, investment, legal, tax, or other professional advice or services. It is not meant as a substitute for such professional advice or services. Before making any decisions related to these matters, you should consult a qualified professional advisor. Investment and insurance products are not FDIC-insured, are not a deposit or other obligation of, or guaranteed by the bank or an affiliate of the bank, are not insured by any federal government agency and are subject to investment risks, including possible loss of the principal amount invested.