-- US equity indexes traded mixed on Friday as Intel's (INTC) blowout Q1 results galvanized the tech sector amid reports that the White House is sending its Iran peace envoys to Pakistan for talks this weekend.
The Nasdaq Composite jumped 1.5% to 24,802.2, with semiconductor manufacturers among the top gainers ahead of the close on Friday. The S&P 500 was up 0.7% to 7,158.3, but the Dow Jones Industrial Average declined 0.3% to 49,163.3.
Intel shares rose 20%, the top gainer on the S&P 500 and the Nasdaq, after the company reported higher fiscal Q1 adjusted earnings and revenue. The chipmaker issued a fiscal Q2 outlook above market expectations.
Nvidia (NVDA), Advanced Micro Devices (AMD), and Arm Holdings (ARM) were among the biggest outperformers across the S&P 500 and the Nasdaq.
Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, the main mediator between Tehran and Washington, arrived in Islamabad, according to The Wall Street Journal. US envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner will travel to Pakistan on Saturday to participate in direct talks with Iran, CNN cited the White House.
There is, however, no confirmation yet that American delegates will meet directly with Araghchi, according to both publications. US Vice President JD Vance will be on standby to travel if there is progress in the negotiations, a White House official told the WSJ.
West Texas Intermediate crude oil futures fell 1.1% to $94.79, while Brent crude futures rose 0.8% to $105.87. Both WTI and Brent were up more than 1.5% each earlier in the session.