-- US equity indexes rose after midday Wednesday, with the S&P 500 and the Nasdaq Composite scaling new highs as Iran closed in on a peace deal and Advanced Micro Devices' (AMD) Q1 results sparked a rally in semiconductors.
The Nasdaq traded 1.6% higher at 25,737.8 after touching a record 25,741.14 intraday. The S&P 500 was up 1.2% to 7,342.9 after hitting an all-time high of 7,348.35 earlier in the session. The Dow Jones Industrial Average advanced 1.1% to 49,818.9.
Communication services, industrials, materials, and technology led the gainers, while energy was the steepest decliner in midday trading.
The White House is close to agreeing on a one-page memorandum of understanding to end the war with Iran and set a framework for more detailed negotiations about Tehran's nuclear ambitions, Axios reported, citing two US officials and two other sources briefed on the issue. While nothing is final yet, the sources said this was the closest the duo has been to an agreement since the war began.
Washington's MoU, if Iran accepts it, will lead to a gradual reopening of the Strait of Hormuz and lifting of the American blockade on Iranian ports, a person familiar with the matter told Bloomberg. Meanwhile, President Donald Trump warned Iran that "bombing starts" again if a deal is not reached, according to multiple media reports.
West Texas Intermediate crude oil futures sank 6.8% to $95.47, and Brent crude futures plunged 7.9% to $101.97.
US Treasury yields fell, with the 10-year down 6.2 basis points to 4.35%, extending its retreat from the highest in about a month. Two-year yield slumped 6.9 basis points to 3.87%.
In precious metals, gold futures advanced 2.8% to $4,697.9, and silver futures surged 5.4% to $77.59.
In company news, Advanced Micro Devices (AMD) shares surged nearly 17%, among the top gainers on the S&P 500 and the Nasdaq, after the chipmaker overnight posted stronger-than-expected fiscal Q1 results and issued an upbeat Q2 revenue outlook.
Out of the 10 top performers in a category for companies with a market capitalization of more than $200 billion, over half were from the semiconductor industry, according to data compiled by Finviz. AMD's results reinforced growing confidence in the accelerating demand for artificial intelligence-related products and services.
Walt Disney's (DIS) fiscal Q2 results beat estimates amid revenue gains across all business operations, and the media and entertainment giant reiterated expectations that growth will accelerate in H2. Shares jumped 6.7%, the Dow's top gainer.
In economic news, employment in the US private sector grew at its fastest pace in more than a year in April, ADP data showed Wednesday, ahead of nonfarm payrolls due later in the week. Private jobs grew by 109,000, representing the fastest growth pace since January 2025, the payrolls processing firm said. The consensus was for 120,000 in a Bloomberg-compiled survey. The March print was revised down to 61,000 from 62,000.