US stocks surged today as a wave of positive news hit simultaneously, causing several major risk concerns that had previously weighed on the market to subside: 1) Signs of de-escalation in the Middle East. Supply concerns regarding the Strait of Hormuz eased and signs of shipping recovery emerged; the market began pricing in a reduction of the Middle East risk premium. 2) A window for renewed US-Iran negotiations. Trump expressed willingness to meet the Iranian president during the UN General Assembly; the market began betting on a diplomatic path reopening, significantly cooling expectations of further escalation in the Middle East crisis. 3) A sharp drop in oil prices. Brent crude briefly fell below $100 intraday, while WTI dropped to around $96. Lower oil prices offered a temporary repr