S&P 500 and Nasdaq Post Record Highs on Tech Stock Strength and Iran Diplomacy

The S&P 500 Index ($SPX) (SPY) on Friday closed up +0.80%, the Dow Jones Industrial Common ($DOWI) (DIA) closed down -0.16%, and the Nasdaq 100 Index ($IUXX) (QQQ) closed up +1.95%.  June E-mini S&P futures (ESM26) rose +0.72%, and June E-mini Nasdaq futures (NQM26) rose +1.86%.

Inventory indexes settled largely larger on Friday, with the S&P 500 and Nasdaq 100 posting new all-time highs.  Intel rose greater than +23% to a document excessive to guide chipmakers larger after forecasting Q2 income of $13.8 billion to $14.8 billion, nicely above expectations of $13.04 billion.  The surge in Intel has reignited optimism over the financial potential of synthetic intelligence for semiconductor producers.  Software program shares additionally rallied on Friday, including to the bullish momentum.

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Shares added to their positive factors Friday amid optimism that the US and Iran are transferring towards talks after days of impasse.  President Trump mentioned he’ll ship two envoys to Pakistan this weekend for talks with Iran, and the New York Occasions reported that Iranian International Minister Abbas Araghchi will meet with a US envoy in Islamabad on Saturday. 

Shares maintained their positive factors on Friday as bond yields fell, following the Division of Justice (DOJ) announcement that it was dropping its investigation into Fed Chair Powell over price overruns within the Federal Reserve’s renovation.  The ending of the DOJ probe into Fed Chair Powell could now persuade Senator Tillis to drop his opposition to appointing Fed nominee Warsh as the subsequent Fed Chair, as Tillis had vowed to dam Warsh’s affirmation except the DOJ investigation was dropped. 

Friday’s US financial information was supportive of shares.  The College of Michigan US Apr client sentiment index was revised upward by +2.2 to 49.8, stronger than expectations of 48.5.  The College of Michigan US Apr 1-year inflation expectations had been revised downward by -0.1 to 4.7% from 4.8%.  The Apr 5-10 12 months inflation expectations had been revised upward by +0.1 to a 6-month excessive of three.5% from 3.4%.

The US and Iran are locked in a battle for management of the Strait of Hormuz, with either side blocking the waterway to achieve leverage throughout an prolonged ceasefire.  The US elevated stress on Iran with its naval blockade because it seeks to get Iran to conform to talks, whereas Israel and Lebanon are set to increase a ceasefire for 3 weeks. 

WTI crude oil costs (CLM26) fell by greater than -1% on Friday after Pakistani officers mentioned a second spherical of US-Iran talks was anticipated.  The Strait of Hormuz stays basically closed, threatening to deepen the worldwide vitality disaster.  The continued blockade may exacerbate international oil and gas shortages, as a few fifth of the world’s oil and liquefied pure fuel transits via the strait. Goldman Sachs estimates that crude output within the Persian Gulf has been curtailed by about 14.5 million bpd, or greater than 50%, to date in April, and that the present disruption has drawn down practically 500 million bbl from international crude stockpiles, which may hit a billion bbl by June.  

Earnings season so far has been supportive of shares.  As of Friday, 80% of the 139 S&P 500 firms that reported Q1 earnings have overwhelmed estimates.  Q1 S&P 500 earnings are projected to climb +12% y/y, in accordance with Bloomberg Intelligence.  Stripping out the know-how sector, Q1 earnings are projected to extend round +3%, the weakest in two years.

The markets are discounting a 1% likelihood for a +25 bp FOMC price hike on the April 28-29 coverage assembly.

Abroad inventory markets settled blended on Friday.  The Euro Stoxx 50 fell to a 2-week low and closed down -0.19%.  China’s Shanghai Composite closed down -0.33%.  Japan’s Nikkei Inventory 225 closed up +0.97%.

Curiosity Charges

June 10-year T-notes (ZNM6) on Friday closed up +5.5 ticks.  The ten-year T-note yield fell -2.0 bp to 4.304%.  Jun T-notes recovered from early losses on Friday and moved larger, and the 10-year T-note yield fell from a 1.5-week excessive of 4.353% and moved decrease.  T-notes rebounded on Friday after WTI crude oil gave up a +1% advance and fell greater than -1%, easing inflation considerations. 

Features in T-notes accelerated on Friday after the DOJ mentioned it was dropping its investigation of Fed Chair Powell over building-renovation prices on the Federal Reserve.  The ending of the investigation into Fed Chair Powell could persuade Senator Tillis to drop his opposition to appointing Fed nominee Warsh as the subsequent Fed Chair, as Tillis had vowed to dam Warsh’s affirmation except the DOJ investigation was dropped.  Hypothesis is that Mr. Warsh will take a extra dovish tone to Fed coverage than outgoing Fed Chair Powell.

European authorities bond yields moved decrease on Friday.  The ten-year German bund yield fell -1.5 bp to 2.994%.  The ten-year UK gilt yield fell from a 4-week excessive of 4.993% and completed down by -2.7 bp to 4.912%.

The German Apr IFO enterprise confidence index fell -1.9 to a virtually 6-year low of 84.4, weaker than expectations of 85.7.

ECB Governing Council member Peter Kazimir mentioned the conflict in Iran may necessitate a slight enhance in ECB rates of interest.

UK Mar retail gross sales ex-autos rose +0.2% m/m, stronger than expectations of no change m/m.

Swaps are discounting a 9% likelihood of a +25 bp ECB price hike at its subsequent coverage assembly on April 30.

US Inventory Movers

Intel (INTC) closed up greater than 23% to guide chip shares larger and gainers within the S&P 500 and Nasdaq 100 after forecasting Q2 income of $13.8 billion to $14.8 billion, nicely above expectations of $13.04 billion.  Additionally, Superior Micro Units (AMD) and ARM Holdings Plc (ARM) closed up greater than +13%, and Qualcomm (QCOM) closed up greater than +11%.  As well as, KLA Corp (KLAC) closed up greater than +5%, and Nvidia (NVDA) closed up greater than +4% to guide gainers within the Dow Jones Industrials.  Lastly, Lam Analysis (LRCX) and Micron Know-how (MU) closed up greater than +3%, and Utilized Supplies (AMAT) and ASML Holding NV (ASML) closed up greater than +2%. 

Software program shares rallied on Friday, serving to help positive factors within the broader market.  ServiceNow (NOW) closed up greater than +6%, and Atlassian (TEAM) and Cadence Design Programs (CDNS) closed up greater than +5%.  Additionally, (WDAY) closed up greater than +4%, and Intuit (INTU) closed up greater than +3%.  As well as, Microsoft (MSFT), Salesforce (CRM), Adobe Programs (ADBE), and Autodesk (ADSK) closed up greater than +2%.

Organon & Co. (OGN) closed up greater than +32% after the Financial Occasions reported that Solar Pharma is planning to submit a binding supply of $13 billion for the corporate. 

Chemed Corp (CHE) closed up greater than +10% after reporting Q1 adjusted EPS of $5.65, stronger than the consensus of $5.30. 

Hims & Hers Well being (HIMS) closed up greater than +8% after JPMorgan Chase initiated protection on the inventory with a suggestion of chubby and a worth goal of $35.

Edwards Lifesciences (EW) closed up greater than +5% after reporting Q1 adjusted EPS of 78 cents, higher than the consensus of 73 cents. 

Procter & Gamble (PG) closed up greater than +2% after reporting Q3 web gross sales of $21.24 billion, above the consensus of $20.50 billion. 

Principal Monetary Group (PFG) closed up greater than +2% after reporting Q1 adjusted working EPS of $2.07, higher than the consensus of $2.01.

Constitution Communications (CHTR) closed down greater than -25%, main losers within the S&P 500 and Nasdaq 100 after reporting Q1 EPS of $9.17, weaker than the consensus of $9.52. 

Comcast (CMCSA) closed down greater than -12% after Deutsche Financial institution downgraded the inventory to carry from purchase. 

HCA Healthcare (HCA) closed down greater than -9% after reporting Q1 web revenue of $1.62 billion, under the consensus of $1.63 billion.   

Boyd Gaming (BYD) closed down greater than -6% after reporting Q1 income of $997.4 million, under the consensus of $1 billion. 

Eli Lilly (LLY) closed down greater than -3% after weekly information confirmed whole prescriptions for the corporate’s Zepbound weight problems drug fell -2% in comparison with the prior week. 

Earnings Studies(4/27/2026)

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