Asia Markets
US Equity Indexes Rise as Momentum Builds to Secure Iran Peace Agreement
US equity indexes rose as pressure on government bond yields eased and crude oil retreated from intraday highs amid progress in Iran peace talks.The Nasdaq Composite rose 0.5% to 26,423.4, with the S&P 500 up 0.6% to 7,488.2 and the Dow Jones Industrial Average higher by 0.8% to 50,709.3 in Friday's midday trading. The Dow hit an all-time high of 50,746.25, according to data compiled by CNBC.A Qatari negotiating team arrived in Tehran on Friday in coordination with the US to help secure a deal to end the war, Reuters reported, citing a source with knowledge of the matter. Pakistan's army chief Asim Munir is headed to Tehran to help mediate a settlement, Al Jazeera reported Friday.While there are "good signs" that an agreement to end the conflict is in sight, any deal would be "unfeasible" if Iran pursues measures to permanently control the Strait of Hormuz, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said on Thursday, according to CNBC. The US plans to seize Tehran's stockpile of enriched uranium as part of peace negotiations, President Donald Trump reportedly said Thursday.West Texas Intermediate crude oil futures rose 0.8% to $97.19, and Brent crude futures climbed 1.1% to $103.65. The WTI and Brent futures traded more than 3% higher earlier in the day.US Treasury yields were mixed, with the 10-year down 1.6 basis points to 4.57% and the 30-year down 3.4 basis points to 5.08%. The two-year yield, however, rose 3.8 basis points to 4.13%.In economic news, the Conference Board's measure of leading indicators rose by 0.1% in April following a 0.6% decrease in March."Strong investment in AI infrastructure, data centers, and energy production likely will have a positive impact on growth and sustain business spending but may only partially offset weakness on the consumer side," said Justyna Zabinska-La Monica, Senior Manager for Business Cycle Indicators.The University of Michigan consumer sentiment index was revised down to 44.8 for May from 48.2 preliminary, compared with expectations for no revision in a Bloomberg-compiled survey and a drop from the final 49.8 in April. Respondents expected a 4.8% inflation rate over the next year and 3.9% annual inflation over the next five years, up from 4.7% and 3.5%, respectively, in April."Consumer sentiment fell for the third straight month as supply disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz continue to boost gasoline prices," Michigan said.In company news, Dell Technologies (DELL) shares jumped 17%, the top gainer on the S&P 500, after Wells Fargo raised its price target to $270 from $180.Take-Two Interactive Software (TTWO) reported a narrower fiscal Q4 net loss as revenue increased. MoffettNathanson adjusted its price target on the company's shares to $196 from $206 while maintaining its neutral rating. Take-Two shares slumped 4.3%, the steepest decline on the Nasdaq.Merck (MRK) said Friday the European Medicines Agency's Committee for Medicinal Products for Human Use has recommended the approval of Keytruda, in combination with Padcev, to treat a type of bladder cancer. Shares of Merck jumped 5.4%, the Dow's top performer.
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