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US Equity Indexes Jump as Iran Peace Deal Hopes Increase, AMD's Q1 Results Trigger Rally in Chipmakers

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US equity indexes jumped ahead of Wednesday's close, with the S&P 500 and the Nasdaq Composite breaking records as a potential Iran peace deal was said to be in the offing, and Advanced Micro Devices' (AMD) Q1 results sparked a rally in semiconductors.

The Nasdaq traded 1.9% higher at 25,794.3 after touching a record 25,814.50 intraday. The S&P 500 was up 1.4% to 7,362.2 after hitting an all-time high of 7,363.40 earlier in the session. The Dow Jones Industrial Average advanced 1.4% to 49,958.3.

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 7.2% to $94.88, and Brent crude futures plunged 8.1% to $100.98.

In company news, Advanced Micro Devices (AMD) shares surged nearly 18%, 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.

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