Gotrade News - U.S. stock futures pointed higher on Thursday as hopes for a peace deal between Washington and Tehran lifted market sentiment across asset classes. Dow futures gained 161 points, S&P 500 futures added 17 points, and Nasdaq 100 futures rose 53 points, all on track for weekly gains.
President Trump announced that the U.S. and Iran are "very close" to reaching a deal, with negotiations potentially resuming this weekend. Iran has reportedly agreed not to possess nuclear weapons for more than 20 years in exchange for the removal of international sanctions.
Key Takeaways
- Stock futures climb as Trump signals a breakthrough with Iran, with all three major indices tracking toward weekly gains
- WTI crude oil fell 3.55% below $100 per barrel as peace deal hopes ease supply disruption fears in the energy market
- U.S. economic data surprised to the upside, with jobless claims at 207K and Philly Fed manufacturing at a 15-month high
A ceasefire pause between Israel and Lebanon has already taken effect, providing additional geopolitical relief. Iran's ceasefire expires later in April, creating a tight window for formal negotiations to conclude.
Crude oil futures declined sharply on the peace deal optimism. WTI crude fell $3.36 to trade at $91.33, a 3.55% drop, while Brent oil slid $3.10 to $96.29, declining 3.12%.
The 10-year Treasury yield eased to 4.30% as investors shifted expectations for geopolitical risk lower. The bond market reaction suggests traders are pricing in reduced probability of sustained energy supply disruptions.
U.S. economic data reinforced the positive tone, with initial jobless claims falling 11,000 to 207K, beating the 213K forecast. The Philadelphia Fed manufacturing index surged to 26.7, its highest level in 15 months and well above the 10.3 consensus expectation.
Technology stocks rebounded strongly in the prior session, with AMD gaining 7.80% and ON Semiconductor jumping 10.35%. Oracle added 5.02% as the broader tech recovery extended its momentum.
Bank executives described the U.S. economy as resilient despite energy disruptions from the Iran conflict. S&P 500 companies are expected to deliver 12% average quarterly earnings growth for Q1, their sixth consecutive quarter of double-digit gains.
The combination of diplomatic progress and strong economic indicators creates a constructive backdrop for equities heading into the weekend. Whether the rally extends depends on whether formal negotiations between Washington and Tehran materialize as expected.
Sources
- Investing.com, U.S. stock futures on track for weekly gains amid Iran peace hopes, 2026
- Barchart, Stock Index Futures Gain on Hopes for U.S.-Iran Deal, 2026
