Markets posted strong gains last week, driven by growing optimism around a potential resolution to the Iran conflict and reports that the Strait of Hormuz may be reopening. Technology stocks led the way, with the Nasdaq 100 delivering particularly strong performance.
Recent economic data reflects the impact of the conflict. March’s Producer Price Index rose to 4.0% year-over-year, largely due to higher energy costs, while Industrial Production declined broadly, signaling some near-term economic softness.
Even as the outlook improves, it’s important to recognize that disruptions to Middle East oil infrastructure may take months—or longer—to fully normalize. We’ll continue monitoring how these developments influence inflation and broader market conditions.
As always, we remain focused on positioning portfolios to navigate both the risks and opportunities ahead.
Treasury Yields
- 30-year Treasury: 4.881% (lower)
- 10-year Treasury: 4.239% (lower)
Mortgage Rates
- Average 30-year fixed (Freddie Mac): 6.30% (lower)
Commodities & Currency
- Crude oil: $82.01 per barrel (much lower)
- Natural gas: $2.671 (higher)
- U.S. dollar index: 97.82 (lower)
- Gold: $4,897.80 per ounce (higher)
- Silver $82.92 per ounce (higher)
The National Association of Realtors
- Existing home sales -3.6% (March), -1.0% 12 months
- 3.0% Increase in unsold inventory (March)
- Median existing-sale price $408,800 (higher)
The Federal Reserve
Industrial Production -0.5% March, +0.7% 12 months
- Manufacturing -0.1% March, +0.5% 12 months
- Mining (Includes oil and gas production) -1.2% March, -0.2% 12 months
- Utilities -2.3% March, +3.1% 12 months
Labor Department
Producer Price Index +0.5% March, +4.0% 12 months
- Less volatile food and energy: +0.2% March, +3.6% 12 months
- Goods +1.6% March
- Energy +8.5%
- Services unchanged March
Import/Export Price Indices (March)
- Import Price Index +0.8%, +2.1% 12 months
- Fuel Imports +2.9%, .6 0% 12 months
- Excluding Fuel +0.6%, 2.8% 12 months
- Export Price Index +1.6%, +5.6% 12 months
Jobless Claims (prior week)
- New Claims 207,000 (lower)
- 4-week Moving Average 209,750 (higher)
- Total Claims 1,818,000 (higher)
Energy & Industry Data
Energy Information Administration
- Weekly Oil Production 13.596 million barrels (unchanged)
- Natural Gas Storage +59 billion CuFt, above average for this time of year over the past 5 years.
Baker Hughes Rig Count
- Oil rigs: -1 at 410
- Gas rigs: -2 at 125
Factset reported with 10% of S&P 500 companies reporting, blended Q1 earnings are +13.2% from a year ago.
(All data was released the week of 04/13/2026)
(All monthly statistics are seasonally adjusted unless stated otherwise).
If you have questions about the markets or your financial plan, we’re always here to help.
Loren Rex – Emeritus
Erik A Smith, AIF® – President & C.E.O.
Nicholas Acri, CFP® – Partner & Wealth Advisor
Dylan Thomas, CFP® – Partner & Wealth Advisor
Jack Zeeb – Wealth Advisor
These are the opinions of Loren Rex and Erik Smith and are not necessarily those of Cambridge, are for informational purposes only, and should not be construed or acted upon as individualized investment advice. The Indices mentioned are unmanaged and cannot be invested into directly. The Dow Jones Industrial Average, Dow Jones, or simply the Dow, is a stock market index of 30 prominent companies listed on stock exchanges in the United States. The DJIA is one of the oldest and most commonly followed equity indexes. The Nasdaq Composite is a stock market index that includes almost all stocks listed on the Nasdaq stock exchange (more than 2500 stocks).
Sources:
https://www.eia.gov/dnav/pet/hist/LeafHandler.ashx?n=PET&s=WCRFPUS2&f=W
https://ir.eia.gov/ngs/ngs.html
https://www.freddiemac.com/pmms
https://www.wsj.com/market-data?mod=nav_top_subsection
https://bakerhughesrigcount.gcs-web.com/na-rig-count
