10.03.202608:53 Forex Analysis & Reviews: Stock market on March 10: S&P 500 and NASDAQ surge, erasing early losses

Stock indices rallied sharply yesterday. The S&P 500 added 0.83%, the Nasdaq 100 climbed by 1.38%, and the Dow Jones Industrial Average rose by 0.94%.

Asian equity markets also showed solid gains, reflecting a more optimistic investor tone. The rally followed a sharp drop in oil prices after US President Donald Trump publicly suggested the conflict with Iran could be ending. That news outweighed earlier concerns that had triggered risk-asset selling at the start of the week.

An easing in geopolitical tensions — even if fragile — had an immediate positive impact on global financial markets. The realization that military escalation and the associated risks to energy supplies might be contained allowed investment flows to reorient. Market participants who had been sitting on the sidelines or selling riskier assets have started to return with cautious optimism.

The fall in oil prices was a key factor, removing some pressure from the global economy. That, in turn, improves the outlook for firms sensitive to energy costs and gives consumers some relief. Lower fuel prices can support consumer spending and temper inflation expectations, which is positive for broader market conditions.

The MSCI Asia-Pacific index rose by about 3%, led by gains in technology stocks. European markets are expected to open higher.

Brent crude fell by about 6.1% to $92.90 per barrel after plunging by as much as 11% earlier. Even after Tuesday's decline, however, oil is still up more than 50% year-to-date.

Trump also said he would lift oil-related sanctions and order the US Navy to escort tankers through the Strait of Hormuz. He vowed to hit back much harder if Iran disrupts oil shipments.

The sharp reversals underscore how sensitive markets have become to Middle East headlines. Volatility across assets has remained elevated — the market-risk gauge hovered near levels seen when Trump introduced global tariffs last year.

According to analysts at Pepperstone Group, the move is more indicative of a recovery rally following an extreme risk-off episode than a genuine return to broad risk-asset strength.

As for the S&P 500 technical analysis, buyers' near-term task is to overcome the immediate resistance level of $6,784 to gain renewed upside momentum and open the way to $6,801. Gaining control of $6,819 would further strengthen the bullish case. On the downside, buyers should defend around $6,769. A break below that level would quickly bring the trading instrument back down to $6,756 and could open the path to $6,743.