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US Equity Markets End Higher After Iran Hints at Desire to End War Soon, Crude Oil Prices Halt

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US equity indexes ended higher Friday after Iran's President hinted that the country wants to end the war soon, and rising crude oil prices halted following the recent rapid surge.

* Iran's President Masoud Pezeshkian said "it is better to end the war today" when Iran is "in a position of power and dignity," CNBC reported Friday, citing state news.

* The national unemployment rate was reported at 4.1% in July, down from 4.2% in June, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.

* The August flash reading of manufacturing conditions from S&P Global fell to 53.2 from 53.9 in July, compared with expectations for no change in a survey compiled by Bloomberg.

* September West Texas Intermediate crude oil fell $0.20 to settle at $86.63 per barrel, while October Brent crude, the global benchmark, was last seen up $0.10 at $93.88.

* Robinhood (HOOD) shares were up roughly 13%, the best performer on the S&P 500, after Bitcoin crossed the $77,000 mark, pushing retail brokerage stocks higher.

* Sempra (SRE) shares were down 5.1%, the second-worst performer on the S&P 500, after its indirect unit Southern California Gas said Friday it completed a previously disclosed public issuance of $500 million in 5.5% first mortgage bonds maturing in 2036.

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