Stocks rebounded in April, paring more than half of the losses from the previous two months, amid stronger-than-expected economic and earnings data, and an easing of geopolitical tensions.
If February marked the return of market volatility, March cemented it. Investors were confronted with a string of political and corporate developments over the month that hurt confidence in the economic expansion.
Following 15 months of uninterrupted gains in global stocks, volatility made a comeback in February, whiplashing investors accustomed to a long stretch of solid and stable returns.