All eyes on Trump address as markets rise on ceasefire hopes
Share this @internewscast.com

On March 31, 2026, U.S. President Donald Trump was present in the Oval Office of the White House in Washington, D.C., to sign an executive order.

Photo by Evan Vucci | Source: Reuters

Greetings from Singapore! I’m Dylan Butts, bringing you the latest edition of CNBC’s Daily Open.

On Wednesday, U.S. stock markets kicked off the second quarter with a positive start, marking gains for the second consecutive day. This optimism was fueled by hopes for a reduction in tensions in the Middle East.

However, as the conflict has shown us, market trends can swiftly shift with a single remark from U.S. President Donald Trump. This volatility might be evident later this morning as Trump is set to address the nation at 9 p.m. ET.

In his speech, Trump is anticipated to provide updates on the progress of ceasefire discussions with Iran and outline the future role of U.S. military forces in the area. Here’s what to expect ahead of his address:

What you need to know today

All three major U.S. indexes rose Wednesday as investors grew more optimistic that an end to the U.S.-Iran war could be in sight. 

The S&P 500 and Nasdaq Composite gained 0.72% and 1.16%, respectively. The Dow Jones Industrial Average rose 224.23 points, or 0.48%. U.S. stock futures were little changed after the market close as traders awaited Trump’s address on the war in the Middle East.

Markets may have already gotten a preview of what might be discussed in the address. Earlier Wednesday, Trump claimed that Iran’s “New Regime President” had asked the U.S. for a ceasefire.

But the U.S. would “consider” the request only once the Strait of Hormuz is “open, free, and clear,” Trump said on Truth Social. “Until then, we are blasting Iran into oblivion or, as they say, back to the Stone Ages!!!” he wrote.

However, Tehran has denied requesting a ceasefire in comments to Al Jazeera. A day earlier, an Iranian official also told the outlet that “At present there is no negotiation.” 

Despite Washington signaling interest in a ceasefire, the war has very much continued. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said Tuesday that U.S. bombers carried out a strike in the central Iranian city of Isfahan, after Trump posted a video showing huge explosions.

Iran’s Revolutionary Guard later responded with attack threats on a swath of U.S. tech companies operating in the Middle East, including Nvidia, Apple, Microsoft and Google.

Speaking of American tech companies, major developments have been unfolding in the industry this week. Elon Musk’s SpaceX, which also owns his AI company xAI, confidentially filed for an IPO on Wednesday, setting the stage for a record offering. The move comes just a day after OpenAI closed a record-breaking funding round ahead of its expected IPO. 

SpaceX is the world’s leading private space company and is viewed as NASA’s primary commercial partner. On Wednesday, NASA launched its first crewed lunar mission in half a century.

— Dylan Butts

And finally…

Trump calls U.S. ‘STUPID’ for birthright citizenship after attending Supreme Court arguments.

The Supreme Court heard oral arguments on Wednesday on whether an executive order by President Donald Trump can upend what has long been the constitutional guarantee of citizenship for people born in the U.S., regardless of their parents’ immigration status.

Trump was in the courtroom for the arguments in the birthright citizenship case known as Trump v. Barbara, the first time a sitting president has attended such a session.

Trump stayed for more than an hour, listening to the presentation by Solicitor General D. John Sauer, who defended the executive order, and then left less than 15 minutes after a lawyer for the American Civil Liberties Union argued against his order.

“We are the only Country in the World STUPID enough to allow ‘Birthright’ Citizenship!” Trump wrote in a Truth Social post after leaving.

— Dan Mangan

Choose CNBC as your preferred source on Google and never miss a moment from the most trusted name in business news.
Share this @internewscast.com
You May Also Like

Trump’s Explosive Easter Sunday Rant: Unpacking His Controversial Iran Threats

U.S. President Donald Trump addressed the nation from the Cross Hall of…

Miraculous Escape: Israeli Woman Survives Close Call as Iranian Missile Lands Just Yards Away

In a heart-stopping incident, an Iranian missile exploded mere yards from an…

New Analysis of the Shroud of Turin Suggests Its Origins Align with the Era of Jesus’ Death

The Shroud of Turin remains one of the most scrutinized and debated…