S&P 500 & Nasdaq Hit Record Highs, US-Iran Talks Signals Lift Sentiment
Wall Street ended Friday's trading session (April 24th) at a record high after the market received positive signals that US-Iran peace talks could soon be held in Pakistan. The S&P 500 rose 0.8% to 7,165.08, and the Nasdaq jumped 1.63% to 24,836.60, both also setting new intraday records. The Dow Jones Industrial Average fell slightly, down 79.61 points (-0.16%) to 49,230.71, reflecting more selective movement among blue-chip stocks.
Sentiment strengthened after a report by MS NOW, citing Pakistani officials, stated that Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi was expected to arrive in Islamabad Friday night for discussions with Pakistani mediators regarding a potential second round of negotiations with the US. These developments also weighed on US oil prices: WTI fell 1.51% to close above US$94/barrel, while Brent closed slightly higher at above US$105/barrel.
On the geopolitical front, the market also digested separate de-escalation measures after Trump announced that Israel and Lebanon had agreed to extend the ceasefire by three weeks. However, the Middle East conflict remains centered on the maritime standoff in the Strait of Hormuz, where the US and Iran have seized commercial vessels. Trump further hardened his stance by saying he ordered the US Navy to “shoot and kill” vessels laying mines in the strait—keeping energy risk a key factor in market volatility. (Arl)*
Source: Newsmaker.id
