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Nasdaq Heads for 20% Quarterly Gain as Market Volatility Persists

Wall Street Journal Markets •
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U.S. stocks are positioned to finish a remarkable quarter with strong momentum, as futures climbed Tuesday morning. The Nasdaq has surged 20% through Monday, while the S&P 500 gained 14% — marking the best quarterly performances for both indices since mid-2020. Tech shares are leading the premarket charge after last week's sharp pullback.

The gains come despite significant turbulence throughout the period, with investors cycling back into technology positions this week. Market attention remains divided between earnings optimism and geopolitical developments, as traders monitor potential diplomatic breakthroughs in the Middle East.

President Trump announced Monday that the U.S. will meet with Iran in Qatar, though Iranian officials indicated timing remained uncertain. Crude markets have responded with muted pricing ahead of any potential discussions. Simultaneously, the Japanese yen hovers near 40-year lows, prompting Tokyo's finance ministry to signal readiness for intervention if needed.

Money managers face a complex environment where quarterly records coincide with persistent uncertainty. The juxtaposition of record equity gains against geopolitical tension and currency weakness suggests markets may be pricing in optimism while staying prepared for volatility.