2026.3.26 US Market Close | Tech Stocks Rebound as Middle East Tensions Ease

On March 26, the New York stock market saw all three major indices close higher, buoyed by hopes of easing geopolitical risks in the Middle East and a strong performance from technology stocks, particularly semiconductors. Positive individual news from semiconductor companies like ARM, AMD, and Intel drove overall market sentiment. - Dow Jones: Up 0.66% - Tech stocks rebound on hopes of easing Middle East tensions. - S&P 500: Up 0.54% - Rose on the back of strong tech performance. - Nasdaq: Up 0.77% - Gained momentum from positive news in the semiconductor sector. Key Market Drivers - Easing Middle East Tensions: Investor sentiment improved as the possibility of a diplomatic solution between the U.S. and Iran emerged, causing international oil prices to fall to the $91 per barrel level. - Semiconductor Sector Rally: The semiconductor industry led the market's advance, with the Philadelphia Semiconductor Index (SOXX) surging over 2.3%. Positive catalysts included ARM's plan to produce its own chips and reports of price hikes from AMD and Intel. - Southern Copper (SCCO) Risk Analysis: Despite its dominant copper production cost of $0.58 per pound, political uncertainty and geopolitical risks in Peru and Mexico are weighing on the stock. - Upcoming Economic Data: The market is in a wait-and-see mode ahead of the February Core Personal Consumption Expenditures (PCE) price index, set to be released on March 29 (Good Friday, market holiday), and a speech by Fed Chair Jerome Powell. Key Movers - ARM Holdings (ARM): Surged nearly 20% intraday after announcing plans to develop and produce its own AI chips, moving beyond its traditional chip design business. The move was positively received by the market. - Advanced Micro Devices (AMD): Jumped over 6% on reports that the company will increase its CPU prices. - Intel (INTC): Also rose more than 6%, gaining on the same news of CPU price hikes as AMD. - Southern Copper (SCCO): Edged slightly lower. Despite its world-class cost competitiveness, the stock showed volatility as geopolitical risks in Peru and Mexico came into focus.