Intel Corporation

Exchange-Traded Funds Rise, Equity Futures Mixed Pre-Bell as Traders Assess Tech Earnings Amid Global Uncertainty

The broad market exchange-traded fund SPDR S&P 500 ETF Trust (SPY) was up 0.4% and the actively traded Invesco QQQ Trust (QQQ) was 1.3% higher in Friday's premarket activity as investors assess technology companies' earnings while global uncertainty persists amid the Middle East conflict.US stock futures were mixed, with S&P 500 Index futures up 0.4%, Dow Jones Industrial Average futures slipping 0.1%, and Nasdaq futures gaining 1.3% before the start of regular trading.The University of Michigan consumer sentiment report for the current month is scheduled to be released at 10 am ET, while the weekly Baker Hughes domestic oil-and-gas rig count is due at 1 pm ET.In premarket activity, bitcoin was up by 0.7%. Among cryptocurrency ETFs, the cryptocurrency fund ProShares Bitcoin Strategy ETF (BITO) was 0.6% higher, Ether ETF (EETH) advanced 0.6%, and Bitcoin & Ether Market Cap Weight ETF (BETH) declined by 0.02%.Power Play:Health CareThe State Street Health Care Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLV) retreated by 0.5%, the Vanguard Health Care Index Fund (VHT) was down 0.1%, while the iShares US Healthcare ETF (IYH) was 0.1% lower. The iShares Biotechnology ETF (IBB) was 0.5% higher.Organon (OGN) shares were up 29% in Friday's premarket activity, a day after a media report that India's Sun Pharmaceutical Industries was planning a $13 billion bid for Organon.Winners and Losers:TechnologyThe State Street Technology Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLK) advanced by 2.1%, and the iShares US Technology ETF (IYW) was 1.7% higher, while the iShares Expanded Tech Sector ETF (IGM) was up 2.3%. Among semiconductor ETFs, the State Street SPDR S&P Semiconductor ETF (XSD) was 4.2% higher, while the iShares Semiconductor ETF (SOXX) rose by 4.1%.Intel (INTC) stock was 28% higher pre-bell Friday after the company reported overnight higher fiscal Q1 adjusted earnings and revenue in addition to providing fiscal Q2 outlook that surpassed analyst estimates.ConsumerThe State Street Consumer Staples Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLP) was down 0.1% and the Vanguard Consumer Staples Index Fund ETF Shares (VDC) was up 0.1%. The iShares US Consumer Staples ETF (IYK) was 0.04% higher and the State Street Consumer Discretionary Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLY) gained 0.8%. The VanEck Retail ETF (RTH) and the State Street SPDR S&P Retail ETF (XRT) were flat.Coursera (COUR) stock was 16% lower before the opening bell on Friday after the company reported overnight lower Q1 non-GAAP earnings that also trailed analysts' estimates.FinancialThe State Street Financial Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLF) slipped 0.4%. Direxion Daily Financial Bull 3X Shares (FAS) was down 0.9%, while its bearish counterpart, Direxion Daily Financial Bear 3X Shares (FAZ), was 1.1% higher.Hartford Insurance Group (HIG) shares were down 4.4% before Friday's bell, a day after the company posted lower-than-expected Q1 core earnings and revenue.EnergyThe iShares US Energy ETF (IYE) retreated by 1%, while the State Street Energy Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLE) was down by 1.1%.SLB (SLB) shares were down 3.7% before Friday's bell after the company posted lower Q1 adjusted earnings.IndustrialThe State Street Industrial Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLI) retreated by 0.7%, while the Vanguard Industrials Index Fund (VIS) was 0.2% lower and the iShares US Industrials ETF (IYJ) was flat.Norfolk Southern (NSC) shares were down 1.1% before the opening bell Friday after the company reported lower Q1 adjusted EPS.CommoditiesFront-month US West Texas Intermediate crude oil retreated by 1.3% to $94.63 per barrel on the New York Mercantile Exchange. Natural gas declined by 2.4% to $2.70 per 1 million British Thermal Units. The United States Oil Fund (USO) decreased by 1.4%, while the United States Natural Gas Fund (UNG) was 1.7% lower.Gold futures for May were down by 0.1% at $4,721.50 an ounce on the Comex. Silver futures gained by 0.9% to reach $76.17 an ounce. SPDR Gold Shares (GLD) was 0.4% higher, and the iShares Silver Trust (SLV) advanced by 0.5%.

Sector Update: Tech

Technology stocks were rising premarket Friday, with the State Street Technology Select Sector SPDR Fund (XLK) advancing by 1.7% and the State Street SPDR S&P Semiconductor ETF (XSD) 4.3% higher.Intel (INTC) stock was up more than 25% after the company reported higher fiscal Q1 adjusted earnings and revenue in addition to issuing fiscal Q2 outlook above analysts' expectations.

Israel-Lebanon Ceasefire Extension Nudges US Equity Futures Higher Pre-Bell

US equity futures nudged higher pre-bell Friday as Israel and Lebanon extended their ceasefire by three weeks in a meeting at the White House facilitated by President Donald Trump.Dow Jones Industrial Average futures were 0.1% lower, S&P 500 futures were up 0.4%, and Nasdaq futures were 1.3% lower.Fighting between Israel and Iran-backed militant group Hezbollah in Lebanon has been a key discussion point in negotiations to end the conflict in the Middle East. The Strait of Hormuz remains effectively closed to vessels, while the US maintains its blockade on Iranian ports.Trump said he was not in a hurry to reach a peace agreement with Iran, saying he wanted to make it "everlasting." He had extended the US-Iran ceasefire, calling the Iranian government "fractured," but Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei on Thursday denied Trump's claim of disunity in the country's leadership.Traders tracked the latest round of earnings, with Procter & Gamble (PG) reporting higher fiscal Q3 financial results and HCA Healthcare (HCA) posting an increase in Q1 adjusted earnings and revenue.Oil prices were mostly flat, with front-month global benchmark North Sea Brent crude up 0.3% at $105.39 per barrel and US West Texas Intermediate crude 0.1% lower at $95.73 per barrel.The final University of Michigan consumer sentiment report for April, scheduled at 10 am ET, is expected to show consumer sentiment index coming in at 48.5, compared with the preliminary reading of 47.6, according to estimates compiled by Bloomberg.In other world markets, Japan's Nikkei closed 1% higher, Hong Kong's Hang Seng ended 0.2% higher, and China's Shanghai Composite finished 0.3% lower. Meanwhile, the UK's FTSE 100 was down 0.3%, and Germany's DAX index was 0.2% higher in Europe's early afternoon session.In equities, Intel (INTC) shares rose 26% after the company reported fiscal Q1 adjusted earnings and revenue, as well as issued fiscal Q2 guidance, that surpassed analyst estimates. Advanced Micro Devices (AMD) stock was 11% higher after DA Davidson upgraded the company's stock to buy from neutral and raised its price target to $375 from $220. Procter & Gamble shares were up 2.6% after the company's fiscal Q3 financial results beat analysts' consensus.On the losing side, HCA Healthcare shares dropped 7.8% after the company reported its Q1 financial results. Comcast (CMCSA) stock was down 2.7% after the company posted lower Q1 adjusted earnings from a year ago. Infosys (INFY) shares fell 2.6% despite reporting higher fiscal Q4 earnings and revenue.

Research Alert: CFRA Maintains Buy Opinion On Shares Of Intel Corporation

CFRA, an independent research provider, has providedwith the following research alert. Analysts at CFRA have summarized their opinion as follows:We raise our target price to $100 from $75, on a P/E of 33.3x our 2028 EPS, above peers/historical to reflect our view of upside to margins/estimates. After the better than expected Q1/Q2 guide, we lift our 2026 EPS to $1.05 from $0.70, 2027 to $1.40 from $1.30, and 2028 to $3.00 from $2.64. We expect INTC's revenue trajectory to benefit from greater content share in AI servers, where the CPU-to-accelerator ratio is moving from 1:8 back toward 1:4 or potentially parity, driven by inference, agentic AI, and physical AI workloads that are more CPU-intensive. This positions the Xeon franchise for strong, sustainable demand, with a product pipeline that is ramping the fastest in five years. Within the client segment, AI PCs are now over 60% of the client CPU mix. We are also encouraged by Intel Foundry momentum amid leading-edge wafer capacity shortages, with the Elon Musk Terafab partnership and multi-year long-term agreements with Google providing major endorsements. Intel 18A process yields are tracking well.

Roth Capital Upgrades Intel to Buy From Neutral, Adjusts Price Target to $100 From $50

Intel (INTC) has an average rating of Hold and mean price target of $72.12, according to analysts polled by FactSet.(covers equity, commodity and economic research from major banks and research firms in North America, Asia and Europe. Research providers may contact us here: https://www..com/contact-us)

Stocks Mostly Up Pre-Bell as Israel, Lebanon Agree to Extend Ceasefire

The benchmark US stock measures were mostly pointing higher before the open Friday as President Donald Trump announced an extension of the ceasefire between Israel and Lebanon.The S&P 500 edged up 0.1% and the Nasdaq increased 0.9%, while the Dow Jones Industrial Average declined 0.3%. The indexes finished the previous trading session lower.In a social media post on Thursday, Trump said the ceasefire between Israel and Lebanon will be extended by three weeks after representatives from the two countries met at the White House. Trump announced a 10-day ceasefire between Israel and Lebanon last week."The meeting went very well!" Trump wrote. "The United States is going to work with Lebanon in order to help it protect itself from Hezbollah."The conflict between Israel and Hezbollah in Lebanon has been a key sticking point in US-Iran peace efforts, which are showing no apparent signs of progress."Hopes for a resolution between the US and Iran are fading as peace talks stall," ING Bank said in a Thursday report. "If no progress is made, the market will become increasingly numb to the noise and headlines that have dictated price action recently."Trump on Thursday ordered the US navy to "shoot and kill any boat" placing mines in the Strait of Hormuz. Separately, the US leader claimed that the US has "total control" over the key oil supply chokepoint.Trump extended a ceasefire with Iran earlier in the week, though he said the naval blockade of Iranian ports would continue. Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps on Wednesday reportedly seized two tankers attempting to cross the Strait of Hormuz.West Texas Intermediate crude oil rose 1.3% to $97.08 a barrel before the opening bell, while Brent gained 1.6% to $106.76.Treasury yields were trending upwards in premarket action, with the two-year rate increasing 1.5 basis points to 3.84% and the 10-year rate adding 0.8 basis points to 4.33%.Shares of Intel (INTC) jumped 27% pre-bell after the chipmaker reported first-quarter results above Wall Street's estimates. Advanced Micro Devices (AMD) climbed 11% while Lucid (LCID) rebounded 0.4% following a 9.3% drop at the close of Thursday.Procter & Gamble (PG), HCA Healthcare (HCA), SLB (SLB) and Charter Communications (CHTR) report their latest financial results before the bell, among others.Friday's economic calendar has the final University of Michigan consumer sentiment report for April at 10 am ET, followed by the weekly Baker Hughes oil-and-gas rig count at 1 pm.Gold declined 0.6% to $4,695 per troy ounce, while bitcoin was slightly up at $77,789.

Citigroup Upgrades Intel to Buy From Neutral, Adjusts Price Target to $95 From $48

Intel (INTC) has an average rating of hold and mean price target of $71.58, according to analysts polled by FactSet.(covers equity, commodity and economic research from major banks and research firms in North America, Asia and Europe. Research providers may contact us here: https://www..com/contact-us)

Evercore ISI Upgrades Intel to Outperform From In Line, Adjusts Price Target to $111 From $45

Intel (INTC) has an average rating of hold and mean price target of $71.58, according to analysts polled by FactSet.(covers equity, commodity and economic research from major banks and research firms in North America, Asia and Europe. Research providers may contact us here: https://www..com/contact-us)

Social Buzz: Wallstreetbets Stocks Mostly Higher Premarket Friday; Intel, Advanced Micro Devices to Advance

The most-talked-about stocks in the Reddit subforum Wallstreetbets were mostly higher hours before Friday's opening bell.Intel (INTC) rose by almost 28% pre-bell, after a 2.3% increase at Thursday's close. The chipmaker reported Q1 results above Wall Street's estimates and issued an upbeat Q2 outlook.Advanced Micro Devices (AMD) advanced by nearly 11% in premarket activity, following a 0.6% increase from Thursday's session.ServiceNow (NOW) was 1.3% higher in pre-bell hours, after closing Thursday with a 17.8% fall.Avis Budget Group (CAR) was up 3.1% hours before market open, swinging from a 48.4% fall from the previous session.Microsoft (MSFT) was 0.8% higher premarket, swinging from a decline of nearly 4% at Thursday's close.Tesla (TSLA) advanced by 0.8% pre-bell, after a 3.6% fall from the previous session.Nvidia (NVDA) was slightly higher premarket, following a 1.4% decline at Thursday's close.DTE Energy (DTE) was down 0.6% in premarket hours, swinging from a 2.7% increase from Thursday's session.

US Equity Futures Mixed Pre-Bell as Intel Results Bolster Nasdaq, Geopolitics Pushes Crude Oil Higher

Nasdaq Composite Futures Rise Pre-Bell After Intel Reports Blowout Q1 Results Overnight

Research Alert: Intel Crushes Q1 And Q2 Guidance; Cpus Officially Back

CFRA, an independent research provider, has providedwith the following research alert. Analysts at CFRA have summarized their opinion as follows:INTC posted Q1 revenue of $13.6B (+7% Y/Y), beating our $12.4B estimate, driven by Data Center segment growth of 22% to $5.1B (vs. our $4.4B view) on strong Xeon demand for AI infrastructure. Non-GAAP gross margin expanded to 41.0% (+180 bps), well ahead of the 34.5% consensus, on higher volumes and improved utilization. We are encouraged by strengthening manufacturing execution as INTC focuses on maximizing factory efficiencies after previous supply constraints. Q2 guidance of $14.3B revenue midpoint and $0.20 EPS is well above consensus at $13.1B and $0.08. Intel 18A achieved milestones with the Core Ultra Series 3 launch, the first AI PC platform built on 18A and manufactured in the U.S., securing partnerships with Elon Musk for foundry services. We believe INTC is well positioned to benefit from growing CPU roles in AI inference applications, with significant server content growth expected in the coming years. We also see a potential line of sight to over 50% gross margins by year-end 2027.

Intel Beats First-Quarter Views Amid AI-Driven Demand; Shares Rally After-Hours

Intel (INTC) reported first-quarter results above Wall Street's estimates as the chipmaker benefited from artificial intelligence-driven demand for its products.Adjusted earnings for the quarter rose to $0.29 per share from $0.13 a year earlier. Analysts polled by FactSet expected $0.02. Revenue grew 7% to $13.58 billion, compared with the Street's $12.42 billion view.Intel's shares climbed 16% in after-hours trading. The stock is up 81% so far this year through Thursday close."The next wave of AI will bring intelligence closer to the end user, moving from foundational models to inference to agentic," Chief Executive Lip-Bu Tan said in a statement. "This shift is significantly increasing the need for Intel's (central processing units) and wafer and advanced packaging offerings."RBC Capital Markets expected Intel to deliver a "slight" first-quarter beat amid strength in server CPU demand."While demand remains strong, management expected internal wafer supply constraints to be most acute in (the first quarter) which could limit near-term upside," RBC analyst Srini Pajjuri said in a note emailed Tuesday. "Recent media reports point to Intel raising prices which should help."For the second quarter, Intel expects adjusted EPS of $0.20 on revenue of $13.8 billion to $14.8 billion. Analysts are looking for $0.10 and $13.11 billion, respectively."We remain focused on maximizing our factory network to improve available supply and meet our customers' needs throughout the year," Chief Financial Officer David Zinsner said.Sales within the client computing segment increased 1% annually to $7.7 billion in the first quarter, while data center and AI climbed 22%. Foundry revenue surged 16% to $5.4 billion.

Intel Fiscal Q1 Adjusted Earnings, Revenue Rise; Q2 Guidance Set

Intel (INTC) reported fiscal Q1 adjusted earnings late Thursday of $0.29 per diluted share, up from $0.13 a year earlier.Analysts polled by FactSet expected $0.02.Revenue for the three months ended March 28 was $13.58 billion, up from $12.67 billion a year earlier.Analysts surveyed by FactSet expected $12.42 billion.For Q2, the company expects adjusted EPS of $0.20 on revenue of $13.8 billion to $14.8 billion. Analysts expect EPS of $0.10 on revenue of $13.1 billion.

GUIDANCE: (INTC) Intel Expects Q2 Revenue Range $13.8B-14.8B, vs. FactSet Est of $13.11B

GUIDANCE: (INTC) Intel Expects Q2 Revenue Range $13.8B-14.8B, vs. FactSet Est of $13.11B

Earnings Flash (INTC) Intel Posts Q1 Adjusted EPS $0.29

Earnings Flash (INTC) Intel Posts Q1 Adjusted EPS $0.29

Earnings Flash (INTC) Intel Posts Q1 Revenue $13.6B, vs. FactSet Est of $12.42B

Earnings Flash (INTC) Intel Posts Q1 Revenue $13.6B, vs. FactSet Est of $12.42B

Exchange-Traded Funds, Equity Futures Lower Pre-Bell Thursday Amid Stalled US-Iran Talks

The broad market exchange-traded fund SPDR S&P 500 ETF Trust (SPY) was down 0.1%, and the actively traded Invesco QQQ Trust (QQQ) was 0.2% lower in Thursday's premarket activity as talks between the US and Iran stalled amid a continued blockage of the Strait of Hormuz.US stock futures were also lower, with S&P 500 Index futures down 0.4%, Dow Jones Industrial Average futures slipping 0.6%, and Nasdaq futures retreating 0.4% before the start of regular trading.US initial jobless claims totaled 214,000, compared with expectations of 210,000 and a prior reading of 208,000.The Chicago Federal Reserve Bank's monthly National Activity Index fell to a reading of minus 0.20 in March from 0.03 in February, compared with expectations for a smaller decrease to minus 0.13 in survey of analysts compiled by Bloomberg as of 7:35 am ET.S&P Global flash estimates of manufacturing and services conditions for April will be released at 9:45 am ET, followed by weekly natural gas stocks at 10:30 am ET.The Kansas City Fed's manufacturing reading for April will be released at 11 am ET.In premarket activity, bitcoin was down by 1.6%. Among cryptocurrency ETFs, the cryptocurrency fund ProShares Bitcoin Strategy ETF (BITO) was 1.7% lower, Ether ETF (EETH) retreated by 3.3%, and Bitcoin & Ether Market Cap Weight ETF (BETH) declined by 0.02%.Power Play:EnergyThe iShares US Energy ETF (IYE) gained 0.03%, while the State Street Energy Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLE) was up by 0.4%.Helix Energy Solutions (HLX) stock was up more than 8% before the opening bell after the company agreed to merge with Hornbeck Offshore Services in an all-stock deal to form an integrated offshore services company.Winners and Losers:Health CareThe State Street Health Care Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLV) retreated by 0.04%, the Vanguard Health Care Index Fund (VHT) was down 0.3%, while the iShares US Healthcare ETF (IYH) was inactive. The iShares Biotechnology ETF (IBB) declined by 1.2%.Sanofi (SNY) stock was up more than 3% premarket after the company reported higher Q1 adjusted earnings and sales.FinancialThe State Street Financial Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLF) advanced 0.2%. Direxion Daily Financial Bull 3X Shares (FAS) was up 0.4%, while its bearish counterpart, Direxion Daily Financial Bear 3X Shares (FAZ), was 0.1% lower.KB Financial Group (KB) shares were up more than 2% pre-bell after the company reported higher Q1 earnings and revenue.IndustrialThe State Street Industrial Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLI) advanced 0.04%, while the Vanguard Industrials Index Fund (VIS) gained 0.7% and the iShares US Industrials ETF (IYJ) was down 0.4%.Union Pacific (UNP) stock was up more than 2% before the opening bell after the company reported Q1 earnings and operating revenue.ConsumerThe State Street Consumer Staples Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLP) was up 0.1% and the Vanguard Consumer Staples Index Fund ETF Shares (VDC) was down 0.3%. The iShares US Consumer Staples ETF (IYK) was inactive. The State Street Consumer Discretionary Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLY) lost 0.5%. The VanEck Retail ETF (RTH) and the State Street SPDR S&P Retail ETF (XRT) were inactive.Tesla (TSLA) shares were down more than 2% pre-bell after the company overnight reported Q1 results, with investors focused on its outsized capital expenditure outlook.TechnologyThe State Street Technology Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLK) advanced by 0.4%, and the iShares US Technology ETF (IYW) was flat, while the iShares Expanded Tech Sector ETF (IGM) was down 0.9%. Among semiconductor ETFs, the State Street SPDR S&P Semiconductor ETF (XSD) was 0.04% higher, while the iShares Semiconductor ETF (SOXX) rose by 0.9%.Intel (INTC) shares were up more than 1% in Thursday's premarket activity after Tesla (TSLA) Chief Executive Elon Musk said he intends to use Intel's upcoming 14A process to make chips at its Terafab advanced artificial intelligence project in Austin, Texas.CommoditiesFront-month US West Texas Intermediate crude oil advanced by 0.2% to $93.17 per barrel on the New York Mercantile Exchange. Natural gas gained by 0.1% to reach $2.73 per 1 million British Thermal Units. The United States Oil Fund (USO) increased by 0.1%, while the United States Natural Gas Fund (UNG) was 0.4% lower.Gold futures for May were down by 0.4% at $4,734.40 an ounce on the Comex. Silver futures retreated by 3.1% to $76.11 an ounce. SPDR Gold Shares (GLD) was 0.3% lower, and the iShares Silver Trust (SLV) fell by 1.8%.

US Equity Futures Decline Pre-Bell as Investors Turned Wary Amid Stalled US-Iran Peace Talks

US equity futures were lower pre-bell Thursday as the market turned wary amid the lack of clarity regarding the Middle East situation, with peace talks stalled indefinitely after President Donald Trump extended the ceasefire.Dow Jones Industrial Average futures were 0.4% lower, S&P 500 futures were down 0.2%, and Nasdaq futures were 0.1% lower.Iran said Wednesday it had captured two container vessels in the Strait of Hormuz, while the US is maintaining its blockade of Iranian ports.Trump has said that the ceasefire is extended until Iran's "fractured" government can come up with a unified proposal regarding the end of the conflict.Traders took note of today's round of earnings, with American Express (AXP) posting higher Q1 earnings and revenue and Thermo Fisher Scientific (TMO) reporting increases in fiscal Q1 adjusted earnings and revenue. Intel (INTC) and SAP (SAP) are set to report their results after market close.Oil prices were higher, with front-month global benchmark North Sea Brent crude up 0.2% at $101.72 per barrel and US West Texas Intermediate crude 0.2% higher at $92.77 per barrel.Initial jobless claims rose to a level of 214,000 in the employment survey week ended April 18 from an upwardly revised 208,000 level in the previous week, compared with expectations for an increase to 210,000 in survey of analysts compiled by Bloomberg.The Chicago Fed National Activity Index came in at negative 0.20 in March, compared with expectations for negative 0.13 and down from 0.03 in the prior month.The April S&P Global Composite Purchasing Managers' Index, due at 9:45 am ET, is seen coming in at 50.6.In other world markets, Japan's Nikkei closed 0.8% lower, Hong Kong's Hang Seng ended 1% lower, and China's Shanghai Composite finished 0.3% lower. Meanwhile, the UK's FTSE 100 was down 0.6%, and Germany's DAX index was 0.2% lower in Europe's early afternoon session.In equities, IBM (IBM) shares were down 7.9% despite posting late Wednesday Q1 adjusted earnings and revenue. Tesla (TSLA) stock was 3.3% lower after the company issued higher-than-expected 2026 capital expenditure guidance for 2026. Thermo Fisher Scientific shares were down 7.1% after the company posted its Q1 financial results.On the winning side, Texas Instruments (TXN) shares were up 11% after the company posted higher Q1 earnings and revenue in addition to issuing Q2 guidance that exceeded analyst expectations. Netflix (NFLX) stock was up by 1.2% after Bloomberg reported that the company was is in talks to purchase a historic Los Angeles movie studio space for a fragment of its 2021 sale price of $1.85 billion. The company also said it authorized an additional $25 billion share repurchase program.

US Equity Futures Drop as Investors Cautious Amid Stalled US-Iran Peace Talks

US equity futures were lower pre-bell on Thursday as the market turned wary on the lack of clarity regarding the Middle East situation, with peace talks stalled indefinitely after President Donald Trump extended the ceasefire.Dow Jones Industrial Average futures were 0.6% lower, S&P 500 futures were down 0.3%, and Nasdaq futures were 0.3% lower.Iran said Wednesday it had captured two container vessels in the Strait of Hormuz, while the US is maintaining its blockade of Iranian ports.Trump has said that the ceasefire is extended until Iran's "fractured" government can come up with a unified proposal regarding the end of the conflict.Traders took note of today's round of earnings, with American Express (AXP) posting higher Q1 earnings and revenue and Thermo Fisher Scientific (TMO) posting increases in fiscal Q1 adjusted earnings and revenue. Intel (INTC) and SAP (SAP) are set to report their results after-market.Oil prices were higher, with front-month global benchmark North Sea Brent crude up 0.7% at $102.61 per barrel and US West Texas Intermediate crude 0.6% higher at $93.55 per barrel.Initial jobless claims are projected to have increased to 210,000 in the week ended April 18 from 207,000 the prior week, according to estimates compiled by Bloomberg.The Chicago Fed National Activity Index, due at 8:30 am ET, is seen coming in at negative 0.13 in March, compared with negative 0.11 in the prior month.The April S&P Global Composite Purchasing Managers' Index, due at 9:45 am ET, is seen coming in at 50.6.