FINWIRES · TerminalLIVE
FINWIRES

Israel-Lebanon Truce, S&P 500's Record Close Drive US Equity Futures Higher Pre-Bell

By

US equity futures were edging higher pre-bell Friday as a 10-day ceasefire between Israel and Lebanon went into effect while the S&P 500 and Nasdaq Composite posted new all-time highs on Thursday.

Dow Jones Industrial Average futures were 0.4% higher, S&P 500 futures were up 0.3%, and Nasdaq futures were 0.2% higher.

The halt of Israel's attacks on Lebanon has been an important condition for the resumption of US-Iran talks, which President Donald Trump said could occur "probably, maybe, next weekend" in remarks made outside the White House on Thursday. Trump also said that a deal with Iran could be finalized ideally before the US-Iran ceasefire ends on Tuesday, but he was willing to extend if necessary.

The S&P 500 gained 0.3% to close at 7,041.28, while the Nasdaq advanced 0.4% to end at 24,102.70.

Traders took note of results from two major banks, with Truist Financial (TFC) reporting higher Q1 earnings and revenue and Fifth Third Bancorp (FITB) posting lower Q1 earnings amid higher revenue.

Oil prices were lower, with front-month global benchmark North Sea Brent crude down 3.4% at $95.97 per barrel and US West Texas Intermediate crude 4.2% lower at $90.73 per barrel.

Federal Reserve San Francisco President Mary Daly, Richmond President Thomas Barkin, and Governor Christopher Waller are scheduled to speak on Friday.

Related Articles

Japan

US Equity Indexes Advance After Trump Announces Israel-Lebanon Ceasefire Deal

US equity indexes rose ahead of Thursday's close after Israel and Lebanon agreed to a 10-day ceasefire, removing a major obstacle to the Middle East diplomacy for a lasting Iran truce deal.The Nasdaq Composite rose 0.2% to 24,069.1, with the S&P 500 up 0.2% to 7,035.2, and the Dow Jones Industrial Average higher by 0.2% to 48,583.5. Energy, real estate, and technology led the gainers. Health care was the worst performer.President Trump said the US might hold discussions with Iran this weekend, The Wall Street Journal reported. "We're very close to making a deal," the president told reporters outside the White House, according to the WSJ. Trump said he wasn't sure the current two-week ceasefire in the war would need to be extended, according to the report.Earlier on Thursday, Trump said on Truth Social that Lebanon and Israel have agreed to a 10-day ceasefire starting 5 pm ET. Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam said he welcomed the decision. In a follow-up social media post on Thursday, Trump said he will invite the Lebanese President, Joseph Aoun, and Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to the White House for talks.Meanwhile, US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said Thursday that the naval blockade of Iran is an example of "polite" behavior during the ongoing ceasefire, and US forces are ready to strike power plants and the energy industry in the country, if ordered, according to a report from Reuters.West Texas Intermediate crude oil futures rose 2.5% to $93.77, and Brent crude futures jumped 3.7% to $98.58.

Dow JonesNasdaq CompositeS&P 500
Japan

US Equity Indexes Rise Following Israel-Lebanon Ceasefire Agreement

US equity indexes rose in midday trading on Thursday after Israel and Lebanon agreed to a 10-day ceasefire, removing an obstacle to diplomacy in works to extend the Iran truce deal.The Nasdaq Composite rose 0.6% to 24,148.1, with the S&P 500 up 0.4% to 7,049.2, and the Dow Jones Industrial Average higher by 0.2% to 48,566.5.President Donald Trump said Thursday on Truth Social that Lebanon and Israel have agreed to a 10-day ceasefire starting 5 pm ET.Iranian officials and Pakistan's army chief Asim Munir are meeting in Tehran on Thursday to discuss messages between Tehran and the Washington, CNN reported. The White House has expressed optimism about reaching a deal, noting that a potential second round of talks would likely be held in Pakistan, according to CNN.US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said Thursday that the naval blockade of Iran is an example of "polite" behavior during the ongoing ceasefire, and US forces are ready to strike power plants and energy industry in the country, if ordered, according to a report from Reuters.

Dow JonesNasdaq CompositeS&P 500
Japan

Hopes for Middle East Peace Nudge US Equity Futures Slightly Higher Pre-Bell

US equity futures were higher pre-bell on Thursday as optimism for an end to the Middle East conflict continued to grow, with a second round of talks and a ceasefire extension on the horizon.Dow Jones Industrial Average futures were 0.1% higher, S&P 500 futures were up 0.1%, and Nasdaq futures were 0.2% lower.Israel's security cabinet met on Wednesday to discuss a potential ceasefire in Lebanon, which could remove a key hurdle in securing a broader peace agreement.A series of solid earnings so far this week has also allayed concerns about the economy. Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing (TSM) and Charles Schwab (SCHW) posted higher Q1 earnings and net revenue. Netflix (NFLX) is due to report after market close.Oil prices were higher, with front-month global benchmark North Sea Brent crude up 0.7% at $95.60 per barrel and US West Texas Intermediate crude flat at $91.28 per barrel.Initial jobless claims are projected to have dropped to 213,000 in the week ended April 11 from 219,000 the prior week, according to estimates compiled by Bloomberg.The March industrial production report, due at 9:15 am ET, is forecast to show a 0.1% increase following a 0.2% gain in the prior month.

Dow JonesNasdaq CompositeS&P 500$NFLX$SCHW$TSM