Nasdaq records best quarterly gain since 2020 as US exchanges post monthly gains

By Ovunc Kutlu

ISTANBUL (AA) - The Nasdaq recorded its best quarterly gain since 2020 on Friday's closing, while US stock exchanges posted massive gains for the month of March.

The tech-heavy index increased 208 points, or 1.74%, to end the session at 12,221. It jumped 16.7% during January-March period. It rose 6.7% this month.

The Dow Jones soared 415 points, or 1.26%, to finish the day at 33,274. The blue-chip index gained 0.38% in the first quarter, while it increased 1.89% during the month of March.

The S&P 500 rose 58 points, or 1.44% to close Friday at 4,109. The index increased 7% during the January-March period, while it rose 3.5% this month.

The VIX volatility index, also known as the fear index, shed 1.7% to 18.70, and the 10-year US Treasury yield lost 0.6% to at 3.479%.

The dollar index rose 0.4% to 102.58, while the euro fell 0.6% to $1.0857 against the greenback.

Precious metals were mixed, with gold losing 0.6% to $1,969 per ounce, but silver gaining 0.6% to $24.06.

Crude oil prices soared more than 1.5%, with global benchmark Brent crude at $79.84 per barrel and US benchmark West Texas Intermediate at $75.62.