US Equity Futures Flat Pre-Bell as Traders Remain Optimistic About Potential US-Iran Deal

US Equity Indexes Rise Amid Speculation Iran Peace Talks May Resume; Crude Oil Slumps

US equity indexes rose in midday trading on Tuesday as optimism over a peace deal with Iran hit crude oil futures, and after mega-cap banks reported quarterly earnings.The Nasdaq Composite jumped 1.4% to 23,515.6, the S&P 500 climbed 0.9% to 6,948.1, and the Dow Jones Industrial Average advanced 0.6% to 48,523.3.President Donald Trump remains open to resuming in-person negotiations soon if he believes Iran is ready to submit to his demands, CNN reported, citing people familiar with the matter. Trump officials are internally discussing details for a potential second, in-person meeting with Iranian officials before a ceasefire expires on April 21, a source familiar with the discussions told CNN.In Islamabad on Saturday, American negotiators proposed a 20-year pause on Iran's enrichment of uranium, a source familiar with the talks told CNN. Iran responded with a proposal for a five-year suspension, which the US has rejected, CNN reported, citing a US official.West Texas Intermediate crude oil futures slumped 5.9% to $93.21, and Brent crude futures dropped 3.4% to $95.98.Most US Treasury yields fell, with the 10-year down 2.5 basis points to 4.27% and the two-year retreating 1.3 basis points to 3.77%.In company news, Citigroup (C) and BlackRock (BLK) reported Q1 earnings and revenue growth above market expectations. JPMorgan Chase (JPM) also delivered a better-than-expected quarter.

S&P 500 Rebound, Optimism for US-Iran Deal Drive US Equity Futures Higher Pre-Bell

US equity futures were edging higher pre-bell Tuesday following a rebound in the S&P 500 as traders were optimistic that a deal could still be reached between US and Iran despite a breakdown in negotiations over the weekend.Dow Jones Industrial Average futures were flat, S&P 500 futures were up 0.2%, and Nasdaq futures were 0.5% higher.The S&P 500 rose over 1% on Monday, erasing losses incurred since the beginning of the Middle East conflict.President Donald Trump said Monday that Iran had reached out to the US and wanted to "make a deal very badly."Oil prices were lower, with front-month global benchmark North Sea Brent crude down 0.2% at $99.14 per barrel and US West Texas Intermediate crude 1.4% lower at $97.72 per barrel.The March Producer Price Index, scheduled for release at 8:30 am ET, is expected to show a 1.1% increase following a 0.7% gain in the preceding month, according to estimates compiled by Bloomberg.

Gold Futures Rise 0.7% to $4,799.1/Oz Early Tuesday; Silver Jumps 2.9% to $77.87/Oz