It was another wild month for markets. Here’s what it means for you

 

Futures-options traders work on the floor at the New York Stock Exchange's NYSE American (AMEX) in New York City on April 17, 2026. 

Brendan McDermid/Reuters

New York —  

Markets just had a month of seemingly contradictory results. The S&P 500 just had its best month in nearly six years, even though oil prices have surged back above $100 per barrel and bond yields have climbed.

Stocks are forward looking and trying to see past the war with Iran. But energy prices have spiked and borrowing costs have risen while the Strait of Hormuz, a key waterway for crude, remains effectively closed. Here’s what to know:

Stocks

The S&P 500 soared more than 10% in April and hit seven record highs after tumbling in March. It was the index’s best month since November 2020.