Dow rallies for a second day, turns positive for 2026 on hope Iran ceasefire will hold

Stocks rose for a second day on Thursday, even as oil prices gained, amid continued optimism among traders that the fragile two-week ceasefire between the U.S. and Iran could be sustained.

The S&P 500 traded up 0.7%, while the Nasdaq Composite climbed 0.9%. The Dow Jones Industrial Average rose 336 points, or 0.7% and turned positive for the year. Year to date, the index is now up 0.4%.

Crude prices advanced again on Thursday.