Equity Markets Edge Higher Amid Easing Geopolitical Concerns

The S&P 500 Index rose 0.42%, the Dow Jones Industrial Average gained 0.29%, and the Nasdaq 100 increased 0.33%. September E-mini S&P futures climbed 0.43%, while September E-mini Nasdaq futures advanced 0.35%.

Stock indexes closed higher on Friday, with the S&P 500 reaching a five‑week peak. Equity prices moved up after crude oil prices swung lower following remarks from President Trump that U.S. officials informed Iran the ceasefire is “over,” although the administration said it would keep pursuing peace talks. Easing geopolitical tensions also lifted shares, after an American official noted that negotiations for a lasting U.S.–Iran peace agreement continue and the United States remains committed to a diplomatic resolution.

Market sentiment also improved on Friday after South Korea’s SK Hynix surged more than 12% on its debut in the Nasdaq 100, aiding chipmakers’ recovery from earlier losses. However, overall stock gains were restrained by weakness in cybersecurity shares.

The prospect of strong second‑quarter earnings, set to begin next week, acts as a bullish catalyst for equities. Bloomberg Intelligence forecasts indicate Q2 earnings could rise about 23%, approaching the first‑quarter surge of 30%—more than double the 12% increase analysts had anticipated. AI‑related spending is expected to drive most of this growth, with AI infrastructure stocks projected to contribute roughly 60% of the S&P 500’s earnings‑per‑share expansion in Q2.

WTI crude (CLQ26) slipped nearly 1% on Friday after an American official said U.S.–Iran talks on a permanent peace deal are proceeding, underscoring the administration’s commitment to diplomacy despite recent hostilities. Al Jazeera also reported that Qatar backs all efforts to ease U.S.–Iran tensions. Losses in oil were limited after Iran pledged to retaliate against this week’s U.S. strikes on its rail and maritime infrastructure. On Wednesday, President Trump declared the ceasefire with Iran over, raising the prospect of continued hostilities that could disrupt energy supplies. Additionally, the United States on Tuesday rescinded the Iran oil waiver that had permitted buyers to purchase and ship Iranian oil legally.

Markets are pricing in a 32% probability of a 25‑basis‑point rate increase at the July 28‑29 FOMC meeting.

International equity markets showed mixed results on Friday. The Euro Stoxx 50 fell 0.23%, China’s Shanghai Composite retreated from a one‑week high to close down 1.00%, while Japan’s Nikkei‑225 advanced 1.20%.

Interest Rates

September 10‑year T‑notes (ZNU6) ended lower by 7.5 ticks, and the 10‑year Treasury yield rose 1.4 basis points to 4.565%. T‑notes declined as the S&P 500 rallied to a five‑week high, reducing safe‑haven demand for government debt. Additionally, easing geopolitical risk lessened safe‑haven buying after President Trump said the United States would continue peace negotiations with Iran.

Losses in T‑notes were contained on Friday as crude oil dropped nearly 1%, lowering inflation expectations and providing support for Treasuries. Furthermore, bond‑dealer short covering lifted T‑note prices as dealers reduced short positions that had hedged this week’s new Treasury issuance of $119 billion in notes and bonds.

European government bond yields moved lower on Friday. The 10‑year German bund yield slipped 1.9 basis points to 3.065%, and the 10‑year UK gilt yield fell 2.5 basis points to 4.872%.

Italy’s May industrial production decreased 0.3% month‑over‑month, weaker than the expected 0.2% decline and marking the biggest drop in four months.

Swaps are implying a 12% chance of a 25‑basis‑point rate increase by the European Central Bank at its July 23 policy meeting.

US Stock Movers

Weakness in cybersecurity stocks dragged on the broader market. Okta (OKTA) fell more than 6%, and CrowdStrike Holdings (CRWD) dropped over 5%, leading losers in the Nasdaq 100. Zscaler (ZS) slipped more than 4%, while Palo Alto Networks (PANW) and Fortinet (FTNT) each declined over 3%. Cloudflare (NET) also lost more than 2%.

EquipmentShare.com (EQPT) jumped more than 17% after raising its full‑year adjusted core EBITDA forecast to $1.95 billion–$2.06 billion, up from the prior range of $1.88 billion–$2.00 billion. The firm also unveiled a $500 million share‑buyback program.

WD‑40 Company (WDFC) gained more than 10% after lifting its full‑year net‑sales outlook to $652 million–$667 million, up from the previous $630 million–$655 million range.

Meta Platforms (META) advanced more than 5%, topping gainers in the S&P 500 and Nasdaq 100 after research firm SemiAnalysis issued a favorable report on the company’s AI computing operations.

Jackson Financial (JXN) rose more than 5% after Jefferies upgraded the rating to buy from hold, assigning a $140 price target.

Nvidia (NVDA) increased more than 4%, leading gainers in the Dow Jones Industrial Average after the U.S. Commerce Department announced that the United Arab Emirates qualifies for more lenient treatment under U.S. export‑control rules, clearing the way for the emirate to acquire advanced AI chips from Nvidia.

Circle Internet Group (CRCL) climbed more than 4% after receiving approval from the U.S. Comptroller of the Currency to create a “First National Digital Currency Bank,” a national trust bank that will provide digital‑asset services.

Weyerhaeuser (WY) rose more than 4% after Raymond James upgraded the stock to strong buy from outperform, setting a $30 price target.

Sensient Technologies (SXT) fell more than 3% after holder Freemont Capital disclosed plans to sell as much as $237.7 million of shares in an unregistered block trade.

Netflix (NFLX) slipped more than 2% after The Wall Street Journal reported on measures the company is considering to address signs of declining subscriber engagement.

Delta Air Lines (DAL) decreased more than 2% after reporting second‑quarter passenger revenue of $15.61 billion, short of the consensus estimate of $15.63 billion.

Earnings Reports(7/13/2026)

American Resources Corp (AREC), Anavex Life Sciences Corp (AVXL), FB Financial Corp (FBK).

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