S&P 500 Eases 0.3% as VIX Surges 9%, Eyes Warsh Hearing and Iran Deadline

The S&P 500 slipped 0.3% Monday after Friday's record close at 7,126.06, with VIX jumping 8.98% to 19.06 and oil rising 5.8% to $87 amid geopolitical tensions. Record highs by April 15 were fueled by AI optimism and Nasdaq's 11-day win streak, but fragile amid seven-week Strait of Hormuz disruptions pushing March CPI to 3.3% and April estimates to 3.58%, plus Shiller CAPE at 40.57. Markets now brace for Tuesday's Kevin Warsh Senate hearing and Wednesday's Iran cease-fire deadline.