Update: Equity Markets Rise Intraday as Traders Track Middle East Developments
(Updates with latest market prices and developments.) US benchmark equity indexes were higher intraday and oil prices dropped as traders tracked conflicting messaging around the Iran war. The S&P 500 and the Dow Jones Industrial Average were up 0.3% each at 7,565.9 and 52,635 after midday Friday. The Nasdaq Composite rose 0.2% to 26,264.7. Among sectors, materials paced the gainers, while healthcare saw the steepest decline. West Texas Intermediate crude oil was down 1.1% at $71.29 per barrel intraday, while Brent fell 0.6% to $75.83. US crude futures were on track for their first weekly advance following four consecutive weekly declines. Brent prices were headed for their second straight weekly rise. President Donald Trump said Friday that the US agreed to continue negotiations with Iran, although he reiterated that their ceasefire is over. Hostilities between the two countries resumed in recent days, weeks after they signed a memorandum of understanding to end their war. Qatari negotiators travelled to Iran, seeking to de-escalate the situation in a trip planned in coordination with the US, CNN reported Friday, citing a diplomat with knowledge of the visit. "With oil.
(Updates with latest market prices and developments.) US benchmark equity indexes were higher intraday and oil prices dropped as traders tracked conflicting messaging around the Iran war.
The S&P 500 and the Dow Jones Industrial Average were up 0.3% each at 7,565.9 and 52,635 after midday Friday.
The Nasdaq Composite rose 0.2% to 26,264.7.
Among sectors, materials paced the gainers, while healthcare saw the steepest decline.
West Texas Intermediate crude oil was down 1.1% at $71.29 per barrel intraday, while Brent fell 0.6% to $75.83.
US crude futures were on track for their first weekly advance following four consecutive weekly declines.
Brent prices were headed for their second straight weekly rise.
President Donald Trump said Friday that the US agreed to continue negotiations with Iran, although he reiterated that their ceasefire is over.
Hostilities between the two countries resumed in recent days, weeks after they signed a memorandum of understanding to end their war.
Qatari negotiators travelled to Iran, seeking to de-escalate the situation in a trip planned in coordination with the US, CNN reported Friday, citing a diplomat with knowledge of the visit. "With oil.