Weekly Market Wrap: Peace Hopes Lift Stocks While Oil, the Dollar and Crypto Stay in Focus

For the week of 18 to 22 May 2026, markets swung between cautious optimism and persistent inflation anxiety. Stocks found support from signs of progress in US Iran talks, but oil stayed elevated, the US dollar held near a six week high, gold slipped for the week, and crypto now heads into the 23 to 24 May weekend as the clearest live read on sentiment.