US markets capped an impressive April with the S&P 500 and Nasdaq posting their best monthly gains since 2020, driven by robust earnings reports amid ongoing Middle East tensions and oil price swings.
Wall Street finished April on a buoyant note, with the S&P 500 and Nasdaq Composite notching their strongest monthly gains since 2020 as investors largely looked past geopolitical tensions in the Middle East and focused instead on a flood of encouraging earnings, according to reporting from AP News and Schaeffer’s Research. The S&P 500 rose to 7,209.01, while the Nasdaq and Dow Jones Industrial Average also ended the month at record levels, helping all three major benchmarks lock in weekly gains and extend a rally that had already carried them to successive highs.
The rebound came despite sharp swings in oil prices tied to the conflict involving Iran, which briefly lifted inflation concerns and rattled sentiment before easing. AP News reported that crude futures surged at one point on fears of disruption to shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, while the Federal Reserve left its benchmark rate unchanged at 3.5% to 3.75% at its April meeting, underscoring a cautious stance as policymakers weighed energy-driven inflation against softer growth signals.
Earnings, however, did most of the work. Alphabet was a standout after posting profits that beat expectations and helped power a broad advance in technology shares, while Caterpillar, Apple and Amazon also added to the upbeat tone, AP News said. Schaeffer’s Research noted that the week was especially busy for the technology sector, with big results from several of the so-called Magnificent Seven, mixed reactions to heavy spending plans at Meta Platforms and Microsoft, and a sharp post-results move in other names such as Reddit and SanDisk.
Outside mega-cap technology, the market was equally active. Verizon and Coca-Cola delivered earnings beats and raised guidance, while General Motors sold off despite an improved outlook, and Enphase Energy fell after missing revenue estimates, Schaeffer’s Research reported. Traders also watched fresh corporate developments in names such as Qualcomm, Nvidia and Adobe, while investors now turn to the first full week of May for another round of earnings and closely watched labour data, including the ADP report and U.S. employment figures.
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emerged. We’ve since applied our fact-checking process to the final narrative, based on the criteria listed
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Freshness check
Score:
8
Notes:
The article was published on May 1, 2026, reporting on events up to April 30, 2026. The S&P 500 and Nasdaq Composite indices recorded their strongest monthly gains since 2020, closing at record highs. ([tradingeconomics.com](https://tradingeconomics.com/united-states/stock-market/news/546858?utm_source=openai)) This information is corroborated by multiple reputable sources, including AP News and Trading Economics. ([apnews.com](https://apnews.com/article/4e1442eeb72e72fc921e6804287d2b89?utm_source=openai)) No significant discrepancies or signs of recycled content were identified.
Quotes check
Score:
9
Notes:
The article includes direct quotes from reputable sources such as AP News and Schaeffer’s Research. The earliest known usage of these quotes aligns with the publication dates of the cited sources, indicating originality. No variations in wording or discrepancies were found.
Source reliability
Score:
7
Notes:
The article cites reputable sources like AP News and Schaeffer’s Research. However, Schaeffer’s Research is a niche publication focused on financial markets, which may limit its reach and audience. While AP News is a major news organisation, the reliance on a niche source slightly reduces the overall reliability score.
Plausibility check
Score:
8
Notes:
The claims about the S&P 500 and Nasdaq Composite indices achieving record highs and their strongest monthly gains since 2020 are plausible and supported by multiple reputable sources. The article provides specific figures and dates, enhancing its credibility. No inconsistencies or implausible claims were identified.
Overall assessment
Verdict (FAIL, OPEN, PASS): PASS
Confidence (LOW, MEDIUM, HIGH): HIGH
Summary:
The article provides accurate and timely information, supported by reputable sources. The reliance on a niche publication slightly reduces the overall reliability score, but the inclusion of multiple reputable sources mitigates this concern.
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