Kamal Ghorui
Wall Street extended its gains on Tuesday, with investors stepping back into equities amid fresh signals that diplomatic efforts could ease tensions in the Middle East, even as corporate earnings remained in sharp focus.The Dow Jones Industrial Average rose 227.05 points, or 0.47%, to 48,445.30, while the S&P 500 gained 32.09 points, or 0.47%, to 6,918.33 and the Nasdaq Composite climbed 194.70 points, or 0.84%, to 23,378.44, Reuters reported.Markets drew support from reports that delegations from the US and Iran could resume talks in Pakistan this week, with President Donald Trump indicating that Tehran was open to a deal.“Investors seem to be buying into the notion that it may take a while, but there is an off-ramp in the future to this war,” said Art Hogan, chief market strategist at B Riley Wealth, as quoted Reuters.The S&P 500 was on track to recoup all its losses since the start of the conflict, while the Nasdaq 100 was poised for a 10-day winning streak, its longest since 2021.Investors are also watching commentary from Federal Reserve policymakers through the day for cues on how the central bank is assessing the economic impact of the US-Iran conflict.Meanwhile, the International Monetary Fund cut its global growth outlook on Tuesday, adding to the broader macro backdrop.A busy earnings calendar is shaping sentiment, with corporate results helping shift focus from macro uncertainties.“The earnings season will help investors shift their focus from the macro to the micro,” Hogan said.BlackRock gained 4.2% after reporting higher first-quarter profit, driven by strong inflows into exchange-traded funds and a rise in performance fees.JPMorgan edged up 0.1% following its results, while Wells Fargo declined 5% after missing estimates on interest income.Citigroup rose 1.9% to a near two-decade high after beating profit estimates, while Johnson & Johnson traded flat after reporting earnings.The financial sector edged 0.3% higher, while consumer discretionary stocks led gains with a 1.8% rise. Information technology stocks provided the biggest boost across all three major indices.United Airlines and American Airlines rose 1% and 7%, respectively, after reports that United CEO Scott Kirby had pitched a potential merger with American Airlines.Shares of Globalstar jumped 9% after Amazon agreed to a $11.57 billion deal to acquire the satellite company.On the data front, US producer prices increased less than expected in March, as the cost of services remained unchanged.Advancing issues outnumbered decliners by a 1.94-to-1 ratio on the NYSE and by a 2.32-to-1 ratio on the Nasdaq.The S&P 500 posted 18 new 52-week highs and no new lows, while the Nasdaq Composite recorded 77 new highs and 12 new lows.
