It was another wild month for markets. Here’s what it means for you | CNN Business

Markets just had a month of seemingly contradictory results. The S&P 500 just had its best month in nearly six years, even though oil prices have surged back above $100 per barrel and bond yields have climbed. Stocks are forward looking and trying to see past the war with Iran. But energy prices have spiked and borrowing costs have risen while the Strait of Hormuz, a key waterway for crude, remains effectively closed. Here’s what to know: The S&P 500 soared more than 10% in April and hit seven record highs after tumbling in March. It was the index’s best month since November 2020. This return to record highs means 401(k)s, individual retirement accounts and stock portfolios that track benchmark US stock indexes recovered after an uneasy few weeks. The rebound was driven in part by robust corporate earnings and optimism about the US-Iran ceasefire. The stock market is looking past the war because of resilience in US corporate profits. Investor enthusiasm for the AI boom also helped the rally. The tech-heavy Nasdaq soared 15% in April and had its best month in six years. Other factors are at play, too. Algorithmic trading systems can kick in automatically at different levels, con