Top 5 Stocks to Watch This Week in the United States

Stocks in the USA have witnessed dramatic shifts since the beginning of the U.S.-Iran war. On April 21, 2026, stocks in the New York Stock Exchange dropped as investors were worried about a peace deal between the U.S. and Iran. As news surfaced that the deal would not be struck after a ceasefire, stocks started declining. The ceasefire deal is all set to expire on April 22, 2026. While analysing the impact of the U.S.-Iran war on the stock market, this article sheds light on the topic- “Stock market today: Key movers and reasons.” 

An Introduction to the New York Stock Exchange

The largest stock exchange in the world, the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE), exceeded its market capitalization of $44 trillion in January 2026. Established on the belief that free and fair markets offer every individual the chance to benefit from success, NYSE exemplifies capitalism at its best. Its unmatched trading platform enables investors, entrepreneurs, and innovators to raise the capital required to change the world.

The Silicon Journal has been a trusted source of information for its readers since its establishment in the United States. From the stock market to business trends, we keep our readers well-informed about the latest developments in the global business world. Through this article, we aim to analyze the stock market scenario of the second and third week of April in the context of the U.S.-Iran war affecting market rises and drops. 

5 Top Stock Market Highlights to Watch For This Week

1. Stock Market Today: April 22, 2026

Early on Wednesday, April 22, 2026, U.S. Stock futures increased after Trump extended the U.S. ceasefire in Iran. According to a CNBC report, S&P 500 stocks added 0.63%, while Nasdaq 100 futures gained 0.79%. Stocks tied to the Dow Jones Industrial Average soared by 305 points or 0.60%. As investors are concerned that the U.S. and Iran won’t reach a peace deal by April 22, all three major averages dropped. The Nasdaq Composite fell 0.59% while the S&P 500 dropped by 0.63%. On the other hand, the Dow Jones Industrial Average lost 0.59% or 293 points.

The President shared on Truth Social Post, “Based on the fact that the Government of Iran is seriously fractured, not unexpectedly so and, upon the request of Field Marshal Asim Munir, and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, of Pakistan, we have been asked to hold our Attack on the Country of Iran until such time as their leaders and representatives can come up with a unified proposal. I have therefore directed our Military to continue the Blockade and, in all other respects, remain ready and able, and will therefore extend the Ceasefire until such time as their proposal is submitted, and discussions are concluded, one way or the other.” Last week, the S&P 500 removed all of its losses since the beginning of the war as anticipations of de-escalation increased.

2. April 21, 2026

According to a NYSE report, U.S. equities opened modestly higher on April 21, 2026. As the pace of earnings escalated from April 20, 2026, and investors digested solid Retail Sales data, equities reflected sad updates from Maersk and Trafigura, and trading. Due to the war scenario, shipping giant Maersk issued a Middle East Operations Update that stated, “transit through the Strait should be avoided.” Also, Trafigura has nine ships stuck in the waterway. After Pakistan stated that it's awaiting Iran’s confirmation to attend peace meetings, the equities fell further. 

The S&P 500 dropped below 7100, bouncing off its lows. Brent crude rallied from $95 to $100. Small capitals are lagging, and the S&P equal-weight is in line. Real Estate and Utilities are experiencing drops, whereas energy is leading on oil’s reversal higher. The Materials sector is also down as chemical names trade lower. Additionally, Industrials are also lagging. The Technology stock remained unchanged, with the ICE Semis Index and the IGV Software ETF ranking higher. Only Apply was trading a bit lower on its official announcement of replacing CEO Tim Cook with his successor, John Ternus.

3. April 20, 2026

Following the recent rise in U.S.-Iran tensions, oil prices soared higher. Meanwhile, U.S. stocks rallied on Monday, April 20, 2026. The S&P 500 fell 0.2% from its all-time high. The Dow Jones Industrial Average declined by less than 0.1%, and the Nasdaq Composite 0.3%. The price for a barrel of Brent crude oil reached $95 again this week. This move suggests investors’ hope for a possibility of a U.S.-Iranian agreement that could get oil flowing again from the Middle East to customers globally. On Monday, the S&P 500 dropped 16.92 points to 7,109.14. The Dow Jones Industrial Average fell 4.87 points to 49,442.56. The Nasdaq composite fell 64.09 points to 24,404.39.

4. April 17, 2026

The S&P 500 jumped 1.2% on Friday after Iran confirmed the opening of the Strait of Hormuz for commercial tankers carrying crude oil. The Dow Jones Industrial Average increased to 1,100 points, ending with a jump of approximately 870 points, or 1.8%. The Nasdaq Composite also soared 1.5%. On April 18, Oil prices fell by 9%, and the Russell 2000 index of smaller companies rose 57.30 points to 2,776.90.

5. April 16, 2026

On Friday, April 17, 2026, the U.S. stock market rose to another record high, with the S&P 500 rising 0.3% on Thursday. The Dow Jones Industrial Average also added 0.2%, and the Nasdaq composite rose to 0.4%. The price for a barrel of Brent crude oil rose back above $99. 

As we get to know these top 5 stocks to watch this week,  we get a detailed insight into the stock market scenario of the country amidst the war tension between the U.S. and Iran.