US stocks end higher, Dow Jones gains 300 points

US stocks rose at the close of March 25 session, supported by improved investor sentiment amid lower oil prices, while caution persisted after Iran rejected a peace proposal put forward by Washington through mediators.

Dow Jones Industrial Average edged up 0.66%, or 305 points, to 46,429 points.

Meanwhile, S&P 500 Index increased 0.54%, or 35 points, to 6,591 points, while Nasdaq Composite advanced 0.77%, or 167 points, to 21,929 points.

As for the European indices, STOXX Europe 600 added 1.42% to 587 points, supported by gains in the oil and gas sector.

FTSE 100 rose 1.42% to 10,106 points, and DAX 40 gained 1.41% to 22,957 points. CAC 40 added 1.33% to 7,846 points.

In Japan, Nikkei 225 surged 2.85% to 53,749 points, after surpassing 54,000 points earlier during the session. TOPIX climbed 2.55% to 3,650 points.

In the oil market, futures contracts for Brent crude for May delivery fell 2.17%, or $2.27, to $102.22 per barrel.

Meanwhile, prices of West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude oil for May delivery dropped 2.20%, or $2.03, to $90.32 per barrel.

As for gold, futures prices for the yellow metal for April delivery gained 3.41%, or $150.30 to $4,552.30 per ounce.

What’s behind the market moves?

Wall Street benefited from a wave of optimism following reports that the US had put forward a peace proposal to end the war, easing concerns over potential energy shocks and supporting gains in the technology and industrial sectors.