Category: Market Summary

U.S. stock futures were largely flat on Friday, as investors remained cautious ahead of potential U.S.-Iran negotiations over the weekend. Optimism around a longer-term de-escalation was supported by a ceasefire between Israel and Lebanon, while U.S. President Donald Trump suggested the conflict with Iran could be nearing its end. Meanwhile, Netflix (NASDAQ:NFLX) came under pressure following leadership updates and a weaker outlook.

Futures Hover Around Flat

Futures on major U.S. indices traded close to unchanged levels as markets awaited clarity on possible renewed diplomatic talks between Washington and Tehran.

At 03:17 ET, Dow futures were up 124 points, or 0.3%, S&P 500 futures edged higher by 6 points, or 0.1%, while Nasdaq 100 futures slipped 14 points, or 0.1%.

In the previous session, both the S&P 500 and Nasdaq Composite reached record highs, extending a rally that has lasted all week. Gains followed Trump’s announcement of a pause in hostilities between Israel and Lebanon, alongside signals that talks with Iran could resume before the current ceasefire expires later this month.

With tensions showing signs of easing, investors turned their attention to technology stocks, which have rebounded after an early-2026 pullback tied to concerns about disruption from emerging artificial intelligence tools. Chip-related names such as Sandisk, Intel, and Micron Technology have led recent gains.

At the same time, early earnings reports have been broadly encouraging. Executives at major Wall Street banks described the U.S. economy as resilient despite the energy shock linked to the Iran conflict, while industrial firms like J.B. Hunt posted profits even as fuel costs climbed sharply.

Trump Points to Potential Weekend Talks with Iran

Trump indicated that discussions with Iran could take place over the weekend and signaled a willingness to extend the current ceasefire if negotiations show progress.

A ceasefire between Israel and Lebanon that took effect Thursday could remove a major sticking point in broader talks. However, Israel has continued targeting Iran-backed Hezbollah forces in Lebanon despite the wider truce.

Officials from both Israel and Lebanon confirmed the agreement, though Hezbollah has not formally endorsed it, saying it would act based on “how developments unfold.”

Trump reiterated his view that the conflict, which began in late February, is likely to conclude soon.

“Generally I’m sympathetic to the view that a resolution is more likely than not over the coming weeks even if the path is unlikely to be a straight line,” said Jim Reid, Global Head of Macro and Thematic Research at Deutsche Bank.

Oil Prices Ease Below $100

Crude oil remained below $100 per barrel as markets tracked developments in the Middle East and the prospects for a durable peace.

Following the outbreak of the conflict, oil prices briefly surged to around $120 per barrel, compared with roughly $70 beforehand. Much of the rise has been linked to disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz, a key shipping route off Iran’s southern coast that handles about one-fifth of global oil flows.

Analysts at ING estimate that around 13 million barrels per day have been affected by the disruption.

The spike in prices has raised concerns about global inflation, with potential knock-on effects for central bank policy, currency markets, and gold. Both the International Energy Agency and OPEC have warned of softer demand in the months ahead, while limited shipping through the strait and ongoing U.S. restrictions on Iranian ports may continue to constrain supply.

“Control of the Strait remains the main flashpoint,” analysts at OCBC said, adding that negotiations between the U.S. and Iran could take up to six months.

Netflix Falls as Hastings Plans Board Exit

Shares of Netflix (NASDAQ:NFLX) declined in premarket U.S. trading and early European dealings after the company issued weaker-than-expected revenue projections and announced that Chairman Reed Hastings will not seek re-election.

The company maintained its full-year guidance but noted that second-quarter operating margins would be lower than in the same period last year.

Netflix said that “growth in content amortization will be first-half weighted due to the timing of title launches,” adding that it expects the second quarter to “have the highest year-over-year content amortization growth rate in 2026, before decelerating to mid-to-high single digit growth in the second half of the year.”

In a separate statement, Netflix confirmed that Hastings—who co-founded the company nearly three decades ago as a DVD-by-mail service and oversaw its evolution into a global streaming leader—will step down from the board after his term ends in June.

Apple iPhone Shipments Jump in China

Apple’s (NASDAQ:AAPL) iPhone shipments in China rose 20% in the first quarter, marking the strongest growth among major vendors, even as the broader market contracted due to rising memory chip costs, according to Counterpoint Research.

The U.S. tech giant moved into second place during the quarter, supported by strong demand for the iPhone 17 lineup, promotional pricing, and government subsidies. It also recorded the fastest growth among the top six brands.

Counterpoint said Apple appears well positioned to navigate the global memory shortage, citing its premium product range and supply chain management. “In the near-to-medium term, it is more likely to absorb rising costs internally and expand its market share,” the firm said.

Overall smartphone shipments in China fell 4% in the January-to-March period, weighed down by supply disruptions and higher component costs.

“Rising component costs are already driving up retail prices, affecting both legacy models and the launch prices of new devices. This trend is expected to keep the Chinese smartphone market under significant pressure through the second quarter,” said Ivan Lam.

U.S. stock futures indicate a slightly positive open on Thursday, pointing to a potential continuation of the recent rally across equity markets.

Investors appear inclined to build on the momentum that pushed both the Nasdaq and the S&P 500 to fresh record closing highs in the previous session.

Market participants remain encouraged by the prospect of renewed negotiations between the United States and Iran, although no formal date for talks has been confirmed.

Reports suggest the two sides may agree to extend the current ceasefire by an additional two weeks to allow further diplomatic engagement.

“It’s like the events of the past month-and-a-half have been placed in the rearview mirror by investors,” said Dan Coatsworth, head of markets at AJ Bell.

He added, “The market’s sanguine perspective may be tested if the rhetoric about an end to the fighting isn’t matched by reality sooner rather than later.”

Futures saw modest gains following a Labor Department report showing initial jobless claims in the U.S. fell more than expected for the week ending April 11.

After a strong start to the week, equities continued to advance on Wednesday, lifting both the Nasdaq and the S&P 500 to new closing records.

The Nasdaq rose 376.93 points, or 1.6%, to 24,016.02, while the S&P 500 gained 55.57 points, or 0.8%, to 7,022.95. The Dow Jones Industrial Average, however, moved against the broader trend, slipping 72.27 points, or 0.2%, to 48,463.72.

Technology stocks were a key driver of the Nasdaq’s gains, with Broadcom (NASDAQ:AVGO) among the standout performers.

Broadcom shares jumped 4.2% after the company announced a long-term strategic partnership aimed at supporting Meta’s (NASDAQ:META) expanding artificial intelligence infrastructure.

In contrast, the Dow’s decline was partly driven by a notable drop in Caterpillar (NYSE:CAT), with the stock falling 3.0%.

Investors also continued to express confidence that tensions in the Middle East could ease, while awaiting further clarity on the next phase of U.S.-Iran negotiations.

In remarks to Fox Business, President Donald Trump said the conflict is “very close to over” and reiterated his view that Iran is keen to reach a deal “very badly.”

Trump also suggested the “stock market is going to boom” once the conflict involving the U.S., Israel and Iran is resolved.

Software stocks posted strong gains, with the Dow Jones U.S. Software Index surging 4.6%.

Brokerage stocks also advanced, as reflected by a 1.9% rise in the NYSE Arca Broker/Dealer Index.

On the downside, gold-related stocks declined sharply as bullion prices weakened, dragging the NYSE Arca Gold Bugs Index down by 3.1%.

Housing stocks were also under pressure after data showed a larger-than-expected drop in homebuilder sentiment, sending the Philadelphia Housing Sector Index down 2.0%.

U.S. stock futures moved higher on Thursday as investors followed developments around a potential new round of discussions between Washington and Tehran. Efforts are ongoing to prolong a temporary ceasefire and restore traffic through the Strait of Hormuz. Oil prices edged up but stayed below the $100 per barrel level. Meanwhile, China reported better-than-expected first-quarter growth, and semiconductor leader TSMC (NYSE:TSM) posted record-breaking profits.

Futures point upward

Futures linked to major U.S. indices indicated a stronger open, supported by optimism over possible progress toward a lasting ceasefire in the Middle East, along with encouraging early signals from corporate earnings.

At 03:38 ET, Dow futures were up 56 points, or 0.1%, S&P 500 futures gained 15 points, or 0.2%, and Nasdaq 100 futures advanced 114 points, or 0.4%. Outside the U.S., Japan’s Nikkei reached a new all-time high, while European stocks traded modestly higher.

In the prior session, both the S&P 500 and Nasdaq Composite closed at record levels, largely driven by hopes that the Iran conflict could soon de-escalate.

Executives from leading Wall Street banks also suggested the U.S. economy remains broadly resilient despite the energy shock tied to disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz, a critical route for global oil shipments.

“[W]hile it’s still early in the [calendar first-quarter] reporting season, and the full fallout from the Iran war hasn’t been felt yet in the economy, we’ve been positively surprised by corporate results thus far, especially the ‘status quo’ messaging from bank CEOs,” analysts at Vital Knowledge said in a note.

Additional earnings reports are expected later today, with PepsiCo scheduled before the opening bell and Netflix after market close.

Attention on Iran talks

Analysts noted that expectations for an extension of the current truce between the U.S. and Iran have become widely priced in, meaning further headlines around negotiations may have a reduced impact on markets.

Although no formal agreement has been reached, recent reports suggest diplomatic progress is being made.

Mediators continue working toward a more permanent ceasefire as the existing two-week truce nears its end. According to the Wall Street Journal, both sides have agreed in principle to resume talks after an initial round in Pakistan failed to produce a breakthrough, though no date or location has been set.

The WSJ also reported that Vice President JD Vance is expected to head the U.S. delegation in future discussions.

President Donald Trump has also indicated that talks between Israel and Lebanon are expected to take place today, with the Financial Times reporting that a ceasefire between the two parties could be reached “soon.”

Oil remains below $100

Tensions remain, particularly surrounding the ongoing U.S. naval blockade of Iranian ports. A senior Iranian military official has warned Washington against maintaining the blockade, while U.S. Central Command insists that no Iranian-linked vessels have managed to bypass it.

Other reports suggest that some ships and tankers have successfully navigated the Strait of Hormuz in recent days. Reuters also indicated that Iran may allow vessels to pass through the Omani side of the strait without interference as part of a broader agreement.

Against this backdrop, oil prices moved slightly higher but stayed under $100 per barrel, still significantly above pre-conflict levels. On a weekly basis, however, crude has come under pressure, with gains limited by expectations of easing tensions between the U.S. and Iran.

China growth exceeds expectations

China’s economy expanded more than forecast in the first quarter of 2026, supported by strong exports and a rebound in domestic consumption.

Gross domestic product rose 5% year on year, matching the upper end of the government’s annual target.

The data provided some support for expectations around oil demand in the world’s largest importer, although other indicators pointed to slowing momentum toward the end of the quarter.

China’s outlook remains uncertain, particularly given its reliance on crude imports from Iran.

TSMC posts record results

Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing (NYSE:TSM) reported first-quarter earnings that exceeded expectations, benefiting from continued strong demand driven by artificial intelligence.

The company posted net profit of T$572.48 billion ($18.15 billion) for the three months to March 31, beating Bloomberg estimates of T$542.38 billion and marking a 58.3% increase from a year earlier.

Revenue rose 35% to T$1.134 trillion during the quarter.

TSMC warned that disruptions to chemical and energy supplies linked to the Middle East conflict could weigh on margins, although it does not expect a material impact in the near term.

U.S. equity futures were little changed early Wednesday, pointing to a muted start as markets pause following two sessions of strong gains.

Investors appear hesitant to extend the rally, which recently pushed both the Nasdaq and the S&P 500 to their highest closing levels in more than two months.

Lingering uncertainty around the Middle East conflict is also keeping some traders on the sidelines, with attention focused on the possibility of another round of U.S.-Iran negotiations.

Speaking to Fox Business, President Donald Trump said the conflict is “very close to over” and reiterated that Iran wants to strike a deal “very badly.”

He also suggested that the “stock market is going to boom” once tensions between the U.S., Israel and Iran are resolved.

Despite the recent rally, AJ Bell investment director Russ Mould warned that “there remains considerable uncertainty over a successful outcome from peace negotiations.”

Stocks rallied sharply on Tuesday, building on Monday’s gains, with major indices closing firmly higher and technology stocks leading the advance.

By the end of the session, the main benchmarks were at or near their highs. The Nasdaq rose 455.35 points, or 2%, to 23,639.08, the S&P 500 added 81.14 points, or 1.2%, to 6,967.38, and the Dow Jones Industrial Average gained 317.74 points, or 0.7%, to 48,535.99.

The sustained advance lifted both the Nasdaq and the S&P 500 to their strongest closing levels in over two months, while the Dow reached a one-month high.

Market sentiment has been supported in part by optimism around a potential second phase of U.S.-Iran talks aimed at resolving the conflict.

Earlier in the week, President Donald Trump said the U.S. had been approached by Iran regarding renewed discussions, adding, “They’d like to make a deal very badly.”

In a subsequent interview with the New York Post, he said a follow-up round of talks “could be happening over next two days.”

Expectations of diplomatic progress have weighed on oil prices, with U.S. crude futures falling 7%.

“Previously, the narrative was straightforward: the longer the war dragged on, the worse the outlook for growth, inflation and risk assets,” said Daniela Hathorn, Senior Market Analyst at Capital.com. “Now, the dynamic appears to have flipped.”

“With a ceasefire framework still loosely in place and the US attempting to control the Strait, the absence of escalation, rather than the presence of conflict, is being treated as a positive signal,” she added. “In other words, each day without a major disruption to Gulf energy infrastructure is being read as incremental progress toward stabilization.”

Further supporting sentiment, data from the Labor Department showed U.S. producer prices rose less than expected in March.

The producer price index for final demand increased 0.5% in March, matching a downwardly revised figure for February.

Economists had forecast a 1.2% increase, compared with an initially reported 0.7% gain in the prior month.

On an annual basis, producer prices rose 4.0% in March, up from 3.4% in February, but below expectations of 4.6%.

Airline stocks led gains across sectors, with the NYSE Arca Airline Index jumping 5.1%.

Brokerage stocks also advanced, as reflected by a 2.4% rise in the NYSE Arca Broker/Dealer Index.

Biotech, retail and semiconductor stocks posted notable gains, while energy shares declined sharply alongside falling oil prices.