-- US equity indexes rose in midday trading on Tuesday as optimism over a peace deal with Iran hit crude oil futures, and after mega-cap banks reported quarterly earnings.
The Nasdaq Composite jumped 1.4% to 23,515.6, the S&P 500 climbed 0.9% to 6,948.1, and the Dow Jones Industrial Average advanced 0.6% to 48,523.3.
President Donald Trump remains open to resuming in-person negotiations soon if he believes Iran is ready to submit to his demands, CNN reported, citing people familiar with the matter. Trump officials are internally discussing details for a potential second, in-person meeting with Iranian officials before a ceasefire expires on April 21, a source familiar with the discussions told CNN.
In Islamabad on Saturday, American negotiators proposed a 20-year pause on Iran's enrichment of uranium, a source familiar with the talks told CNN. Iran responded with a proposal for a five-year suspension, which the US has rejected, CNN reported, citing a US official.
West Texas Intermediate crude oil futures slumped 5.9% to $93.21, and Brent crude futures dropped 3.4% to $95.98.
Most US Treasury yields fell, with the 10-year down 2.5 basis points to 4.27% and the two-year retreating 1.3 basis points to 3.77%.
In company news, Citigroup (C) and BlackRock (BLK) reported Q1 earnings and revenue growth above market expectations. JPMorgan Chase (JPM) also delivered a better-than-expected quarter.