Weekly Market Recap: Friday, April 3, 2026 — Market Analysis

Key Themes This Week

• •Major indexes secured their first weekly gains since the Iran conflict began, with the S&P 500 rising 3.4%, the Nasdaq surging 4.4%, and the Dow adding 3.0%, despite ongoing geopolitical tensions and oil prices exceeding $110 per barrel.
• •A surprisingly strong March jobs report showed 178,000 jobs added—nearly triple expectations—while unemployment fell to 4.3%, reinforcing market expectations that the Federal Reserve will maintain rates unchanged through 2026.
• •Energy sector dominated market performance with a 36.5% year-to-date gain as the Strait of Hormuz closure disrupted global oil flows, while technology stocks faced headwinds from a stronger dollar and inflation concerns tied to elevated crude prices.