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📅April 2, 2026 at 1:00 AM
Global stocks rally on hopes of Iran war ending soon amid falling oil prices; major M&A deals like SpaceX IPO filing, McCormick-Unilever merger, and Biogen acquisition dominate business news.
1

Stocks Rally Worldwide on Iran War End Hopes

Global stock markets surged as oil prices eased following President Trump's statement that the U.S. military offensive against Iran could conclude in two to three weeks.Source 2Source 3 The S&P 500 rose 0.7% to 6,575.32, Dow climbed 0.5% to 46,565.74, and Nasdaq gained 1.2% to 21,840.95, with Asia and Europe seeing even larger jumps.Source 2 Optimism persists despite ongoing fighting and disputed signals from Iran.Source 2

2

SpaceX Files Confidentially for IPO

SpaceX has confidentially filed for an initial public offering, marking a significant step toward going public.Source 1 This development highlights growing investor interest in the space sector amid broader market optimism.Source 1 Details on the IPO timeline and valuation remain under wraps.Source 1

3

McCormick Acquires Unilever Food Arm in $44.8B Deal

McCormick announced a $44.8 billion merger to acquire Unilever's food business, one of the week's biggest deals.Source 1 This acquisition aims to bolster McCormick's position in the global food sector.Source 1 The deal underscores robust M&A activity despite geopolitical tensions.Source 1

4

Biogen Buys Apellis for $5.6B

Biogen has agreed to purchase Apellis Pharmaceuticals for $5.6 billion in a major biotech merger.Source 1 The acquisition targets expansion in neurological and rare disease treatments.Source 1 It reflects continued consolidation in the pharmaceutical industry.Source 1

5

SNAP Attracts Activist Investor IRENIC

Snap Inc. has drawn attention from activist investor Irenic Capital, potentially signaling pushback on strategy.Source 1 Irenic's involvement could lead to changes in governance or operations.Source 1 This comes amid volatile markets influenced by war news.Source 1

6

Oil Prices Fall Toward $100/Barrel on Ceasefire Optimism

Crude oil prices dropped back toward $100 per barrel after Trump's comments on ending the Iran war soon.Source 2 Despite this, Iran struck an oil tanker and maintains control over the Strait of Hormuz.Source 2 U.S. gasoline averages rose to $4.06 per gallon.Source 2

7

Nike Shares Sink 15.5% Despite Strong Earnings

Nike stock plunged 15.5% after issuing lackluster financial forecasts, overshadowing better-than-expected quarterly profits.Source 2 Investors reacted negatively to future guidance amid economic uncertainties.Source 2 This contrasted with broader market gains.Source 2

8

Oil Giants Exxon and Chevron Decline with Crude Prices

Exxon Mobil fell 5.2% and Chevron dropped 4.6% as oil prices eased on war-end hopes.Source 2 The declines offset some gains in the energy sector rally.Source 2 Geopolitical risks in the Strait of Hormuz remain a concern.Source 2

9

Bain Capital's Gross: AI Leading to Less Hiring

Bain Capital Managing Partner David Gross noted early signs that AI adoption is resulting in reduced hiring needs.Source 1 He highlighted AI's role in improving efficiencies without proportional workforce growth.Source 1 This trend is emerging in venture capital discussions.Source 1

10

Venture Capital Tackles AI Boom Challenges

Investment committees are addressing how venture capital can capitalize on the AI surge amid market shifts.Source 1 Discussions include innovation improvements and public market strategies.Source 1 Bain's Gross emphasized no reliance on listed growth vehicles.Source 1

11

10-Year Treasury Yield Rises to 4.32%

The 10-year Treasury yield increased to 4.32% from 4.30%, reflecting shifting investor sentiments.Source 2 This move accompanied stock rallies and oil price drops.Source 2 Broader fixed-income markets show caution on war resolution.Source 2