-- US equity futures were higher pre-bell Wednesday after President Donald Trump extended the ceasefire with Iran while maintaining the US blockade of Iranian ports.
Dow Jones Industrial Average futures were 0.6% higher, S&P 500 futures were up 0.5%, and Nasdaq futures were 0.7% higher.
Trump said that Iran's government is "seriously fractured" and that he is extending the ceasefire "until such time as their leaders and representatives can come up with a unified proposal," according to his post on Truth Social.
Amir-Saeid Iravani, Iran's permanent representative to the UN, said that Iran is ready to restart peace talks once the US lifts its naval blockade, Iranian state news outlet Tasnim reported early Wednesday, citing media outlet Rudaw.
Traders digested the latest round of earnings, with Philip Morris International (PM) and Vertiv (VRT) reporting higher Q1 adjusted earnings and revenue. Meanwhile, AT&T (T) posted lower Q1 earnings amid higher operating revenue. Tesla (TSLA) and IBM (IBM) are set to report their results after-market.
Oil prices were higher, with front-month global benchmark North Sea Brent crude up 1% at $99.46 per barrel and US West Texas Intermediate crude 0.9% higher at $90.47 per barrel.
The Atlanta Fed Business Inflation Expectations survey for April is scheduled for release at 10 am ET.