Key facts
- Wall Street futures indicated a mixed opening for U.S. markets.
- European stocks reached new highs driven by strong corporate earnings.
- A proposed deal between Iran and Oman boosted investor sentiment.
- Oil prices fell below $80 per barrel amid hopes of de-escalation.
- The Dow Jones Industrial Average hit a new all-time high on Wednesday.
- The S&P 500 and Nasdaq closed lower on Wednesday.
Wall Street was set for a mixed opening on Thursday, following a rebound in investor sentiment during European trading sessions. Strong corporate earnings provided a lift across the Atlantic, though disappointing results from chipmakers were expected to temper gains in the U.S. Markets were also closely watching for any U.S. reaction to a proposed deal between Iran and Oman, which was interpreted as potential progress in de-escalating the U.S.-Iran conflict.
In Wednesday's trading, the Dow Jones Industrial Average managed to hit a new all-time high. However, the S&P 500 and Nasdaq erased earlier gains to finish the session lower. European stock markets also closed mixed, with many indices hovering near record highs as investors awaited concrete signs of progress in U.S.-Iran peace talks. Oil prices saw a dip from their highs amid hopes that a U.S.-Iran agreement could lead to the reopening of the vital Strait of Hormuz.