US stock markets advanced on Easter Monday. As trading concluded in New York, the Dow averaged 46,669 points, marking a 0.4 percent gain compared to the previous trading day. Slightly earlier, the broader S&P 500 was up 0.4 percent with approximately 6,610 points, while the Nasdaq 100, the technology index, was calculated at about 24,190 points, up 0.6 percent.
The positive mood on Wall Street appears to be due to recent reports concerning indirect negotiations between the US and Tehran regarding the Iran conflict, as well as initiatives for a ceasefire. However, these efforts have reportedly been rejected by both sides, and US President Donald Trump recently threatened massive attacks on Iranian infrastructure starting Wednesday. Consequently, investor optimism may be resting on shaky ground.
In currency markets, the European community currency was slightly stronger on Monday evening: one Euro cost $1.1544, meaning one US dollar was available for 0.8663 Euros. The price of gold was weaker, with fine ounces trading at $4,655 in the evening, a decrease of 0.5 percent. This translates to a price of 129.65 Euros per gram. Meanwhile, oil prices climbed; a barrel of North Sea Brent crude cost $109.60 on Monday evening around 10 PM German time, which was $0.50 or 0.5 percent higher than at the close of the previous trading day.
