President takes victory pose as US stocks soar to fresh all-time highs amid war, oil shocks, inflation: ‘Trust in Trump’

U.S. equity markets hit fresh record highs after President Trump extended a ceasefire with Iran, with the S&P 500 closing at 7,137.90—above its pre-war level—and the Nasdaq also marking new highs. The rally, supported by easing oil pressures relative to worst‑case fears and resilient economic positioning, has drawn White House attention and optimism about further gains. Oil has been volatile—Brent rose from about $72 on Feb. 27 to nearly $120 at its peak before easing to around $90 in mid‑April and recently moving back above $100—while gold has climbed more than 40% over the past year, attracting interest as a hedge. The piece frames the market move as a milestone for broad U.S. stocks and highlights investor strategies for gaining S&P exposure (index funds/ETFs) and portfolio diversification into gold amid stretched valuations.