Markets Surge as Divided Government Dampens Regulatory Fears

The Dow climbed 3.03% to 53,356.12, marking its most significant single-day gain since April 2025. The S&P 500 added 1.58% to reach 7,688.62, while the Nasdaq Composite rose 1.44% to 25,736.51. This enthusiasm stemmed from expectations that President Trump and a Democratic-controlled Congress would remain deadlocked, effectively neutralizing the threat of aggressive policy shifts.

Energy markets served as a primary catalyst for the session’s volatility. Oil futures plunged 8.3% to $88.12 a barrel, the sharpest three-session retreat in nearly five years. Investors interpreted rhetoric from President Trump and Vice President Vance regarding the Iran conflict as a potential precursor to a U.S. military withdrawal from the Middle East. Treasury yields reacted in tandem, with the two-year note dipping to 4.579% and the 10-year falling to 4.891%. As the dollar softened against major currencies, gold futures climbed 3.4% to $4,061.10 per ounce, reflecting a classic flight toward safe-haven assets amidst shifting macroeconomic expectations.