The tech-heavy NASDAQ Composite surged more than 1% on March 16, 2026, snapping a string of recent losses as investors welcomed signs of cooling tensions in the Middle East and a pullback in crude oil prices. The index climbed sharply in early trading, reflecting renewed appetite for growth-oriented stocks after a volatile period dominated by geopolitical risks and economic concerns.
By mid-morning Eastern Time, the NASDAQ Composite stood at approximately 22,358, up about 253 points or 1.15% from Friday's close. Trading volume was robust, with more than 314 million shares changing hands in the first few hours. The gain reversed much of the prior session's decline, when the index closed at 22,105.36 on March 13 — down 0.93% or 206 points — marking its lowest finish of the year amid pressure on major technology names.
