Weekly Roundup Mar. 30 - April 3

MARKETS FALL | RISING POLITICAL TENSION | ECONOMIC DATA   

By: Lorenzo Alfonso and Hollis Costa

Apr. 5, 2026

Market Snapshot

S&P500: -0.30% | Russel 2000: -0.41% | Dow Jones: -2.56% | Oil (WTI): -7.63% | Gold (GLD): -0.64% | VIX: -2.52% | 10 yr Treasury Yield: 4.313%

The Economy at a Glance

Major U.S. stock indexes finished the volatile, holiday-shortened week higher amid tentative signs of de-escalating conflict in the Middle East (markets were closed Friday in observance of the Good Friday holiday).

The major U.S. indexes found some relief this week, finishing 3–4% higher after five consecutive weeks of decline. Markets continue to ride the ebbs and flows of the Middle Eastern conflict, with talks of a potential ceasefire and de-escalation giving investors some hope.

Tuesday was the market’s strongest day, with the S&P 500 jumping 2.91% — the largest single-day move in about ten months. On Wednesday, major indexes remained positive, up roughly 0–2%, and Thursday held onto earlier gains and finished around flat.

President Donald Trump is working to ensure continued access to the Strait of Hormuz in order to help keep oil prices stable. He is also pushing for a broader ceasefire in the conflict but has had no success so far, as negotiations remain unresolved. Reports point to rising tensions as potential deadlines from Trump approach. Whether it is escalation or a breakthrough, the market is patiently waiting to find out.

Employment Data Mixed

In labor market news, private payroll processing firm ADP reported that private employers added 62,000 jobs in March, down slightly from February’s revised gain of 66,000 but ahead of estimates of around 40,000.

Jobless claims for the week ended March 28 also came in better than expected, decreasing by 9,000 to 202,000, below estimates of around 212,000. However, continuing claims for the week ended March 21 rose to 1.841 million, up 25,000 from the prior week.

Meanwhile, data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics showed that job openings — an indicator of demand for labor — declined month over month in February to 6.9 million from 7.2 million in January, while hiring fell to the lowest level since 2020.

Consumer Confidence

Elsewhere, consumer confidence edged higher in March despite rising costs related to tariffs and the escalating conflict in the Middle East.

The Conference Board reported that its Consumer Confidence Index rose 0.8 points to 91.8, as consumers’ improving views of current conditions outweighed a more pessimistic outlook for future expectations. March marked the second consecutive month of improvement, though the index has generally been trending lower since 2021.

Looking Ahead

This upcoming week, we are looking at the Durable Goods report on Tuesday.

On Friday, we will get:

Consumer Price Index (CPI) — U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics

Factory Orders — U.S. Census Bureau

University of Michigan Index of Consumer Sentiment (preliminary)

Treasury Budget — U.S. Department of the Treasury

Glossary:

Strait of Hormuz

A key shipping route where a large portion of the world’s oil moves through. If anything happens here, oil prices react fast.

Jobless Claims

Weekly number of people filing for unemployment. It’s one of the quickest reads on how the job market is holding up.

Continuing Claims

People still receiving unemployment benefits. If this is rising, it means it’s taking longer for people to find jobs.

Consumer Confidence

How people feel about the economy and their finances. If confidence drops, people usually spend less.

Durable Goods

Big-ticket items like cars, appliances, and equipment. This report helps show if consumers and businesses are still willing to spend.