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US Equity Markets Close Higher on Optimism Over Pending US-Iran Deal

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US equity indexes closed higher Thursday amid speculation a US-Iran agreement was in the final approval stages.

* Negotiators for the US and Iran reached an agreement on a 60-day memorandum of understanding to extend the ceasefire and begin talks on Iran's nuclear program, though President Donald Trump has not yet given final approval, Axios reported, citing two US officials.

* The personal consumption expenditures price index slowed to 0.4% in April from 0.7% in March, Bureau of Economic Analysis data showed. Annually, the gauge rose 3.8%, the largest increase since May 2023, up from 3.5% in March and in line with market expectations.

* US economic growth, as measured by gross domestic product, rose by 1.6% in Q1, revised down from a 2% increase in the advance estimate. No revision was expected in a survey compiled by Bloomberg.

* July West Texas Intermediate crude oil rose $0.68 to settle at $89.36 per barrel, while July Brent crude, the global benchmark, was last seen down $0.21 at $94.08.

* Dollar Tree (DLTR) shares jumped 18%, the top gainer on the S&P 500, after the discount retailer raised its full-year earnings outlook following better-than-expected fiscal first-quarter results.

* Synopsys (SNPS) shares fell 8.6%, the biggest drop on the S&P, a day after the company reported a decline in fiscal Q2 non-GAAP earnings.

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