As the first quarter of 2024 closes, global markets are witnessing a surge in optimism, boosting the S&P 500 to record heights with a notable 10.2% gain, marking its strongest first-quarter performance since 2019.

As the curtain draws on March, the stock market has hit a gentle pause, with the S&P 500 marking its third consecutive session in the red. This cooling off comes after a series of record highs last Thursday, demonstrating a market that, while resilient, is not immune to fluctuations.

The financial markets experienced a modest pullback on Monday, signalling a pause in the recent rally as investors took a step back to assess a wide array of economic data and news developments. The major U.S. indexes, including the Dow Jones Industrial Average, S&P 500, and Nasdaq Composite, all closed lower on the day, reflecting a cautious stance among market participants.

In a remarkable testament to market resilience, stocks reached new peaks on Thursday, driven by optimism over potential Federal Reserve rate cuts and strong earnings reports. The Dow Jones Industrial Average soared to a new record, joined by the S&P 500 and the Nasdaq Composite, each marking their own milestones.

In a remarkable turn of events that defied the usual market volatility, the Dow Jones Industrial Average, alongside the S&P 500 and Nasdaq, soared to all-time highs, lifted by the Federal Reserve’s latest policy. Wednesday’s rally came on the heels of the Fed’s decision to maintain interest rates at a 23-year peak while projecting three rate cuts by the end of 2024, sparking a wave of optimism across major market indices.

The Dow Jones Industrial Average modestly climbed, while the S&P 500 and Nasdaq Composite posted notable gains, breaking a losing streak and igniting optimism across Wall Street.

The joy surrounding the recent stock market rally was put to the test on Thursday as hotter-than-expected US inflation data reduced expectations of an imminent interest rate cut by the Federal Reserve. The Dow Jones Industrial Average snapped a three-day winning streak while the Nasdaq Composite and S&P 500 also retreated, declining 0.3% and 0.29%, respectively.

The Dow Jones Industrial Average and the S&P 500 reached new heights, lifted by a confluence of favourable inflation data and robust performances from technology giants such as Nvidia and Meta Platforms.

The advent of multiple online investments has led to significant changes in our lifestyle, with mobile devices and apps playing an increasingly prominent role in this context. The financial sector, in particular, has undergone a paradigm shift, with over 80% of domestic securities trading being conducted electronically by 2023, as per the statistics from a stock exchange.

In an unexpected turn from its recent upward trend, the stock market began the week on a quieter note, with the Nasdaq Composite and the S&P 500 stepping back from their latest high points, despite strong performances from major tech companies. The S&P 500 dipped by 0.1%, and the Nasdaq Composite fell by 0.4%, reflecting a more cautious approach from investors fresh off last week’s peaks.

Despite March typically being a tough month for stocks, the Nasdaq Composite and the S&P 500 have hit new highs, thanks to strong interest in big technology companies and excitement about artificial intelligence (AI).

In a remarkable turn of events, the Nasdaq Composite surged to a record close for the first time since 2021, leading the charge as major stock averages ended February with their fourth successive monthly advance.