FINWIRES · TerminalLIVE
FINWIRES

S&P 500, Nasdaq Composite Hit Records as Trump Tackles Iran's Nuclear Ambitions, Hormuz Chokepoint

By

US equity indexes jumped Friday, with the S&P 500 and the Nasdaq Composite making all-time highs, and crude oil futures sank ahead of the close after a breakthrough in Middle East diplomacy boosted optimism surrounding an Iran peace deal.

The Nasdaq Composite advanced 1.2% to 24,403.5, with the S&P 500 up 1.1% to 7,114.1, and the Dow Jones Industrial Average higher by 1.% to 49,412.8. West Texas Intermediate crude oil futures plunged 11% to $84.2, and Brent crude futures plummeted 8.4% to $91.05.

Bloomberg reported that President Donald Trump said Iran agreed to suspend its nuclear program indefinitely and will not receive any frozen funds from the US. Axios reported Friday that the US could release $20 billion in frozen Iranian funds in exchange for Iran turning over its stockpile of enriched uranium.

Trump said in a phone interview on Friday that a deal to end the war is mostly complete, according to the Bloomberg news report. Talks over a lasting agreement will "probably" be held this weekend, the president was cited as saying. The US-Iran ceasefire ends next week, implying an extension to the truce may not be required.

Earlier in the day, Iran announced the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz for the remainder of the ceasefire period.

"In line with the ceasefire in Lebanon, the passage for all commercial vessels through the Strait of Hormuz is declared completely open for the remaining period of ceasefire, on the coordinated route as already announced by Ports and Maritime Organisation of the Islamic Rep. of Iran," Iran's foreign minister, Seyed Abbas Araghchi, said in a post on X. The 10-day truce between Israel and Lebanon came into force on Thursday.

Trump also said Friday the US naval blockade will continue until a deal with Iran is "100% complete," CNN reported.

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