Dow Jones gains 115 pts as S&P 500, Nasdaq hit records on Iran hopes

• President Trump confirmed a ceasefire announcement scheduled for 5 p.m. ET and indicated US-Iran talks could resume 'probably, maybe, next weekend,' fueling de-escalation hopes that helped erase all S&P 500 losses since the conflict began.
• The Nasdaq extended its winning streak to 12 consecutive sessions, its longest run since 2009, though strategists warn sustained gains depend on clearer diplomatic progress and a return to trading on fundamentals.
• Economic data showed jobless claims fell to 214,000, signaling labor market stability, while mixed earnings from PepsiCo (up), Abbott Laboratories (down after cutting guidance), and Charles Schwab (down) drove stock-specific moves.

Market Summary: U.S. Equities Rally on Iran Ceasefire Hopes

Key Market Movements:

U.S. markets posted strong gains Thursday, with the S&P 500 rising 0.26% to 7,041.28 and the Nasdaq Composite climbing 0.36% to 24,102.70—both hitting record highs. The Dow Jones Industrial Average added 115 points (0.24%) to close at 48,578.72. The Nasdaq extended its winning streak to 12 consecutive sessions, the longest since 2009. Weekly gains stand at 3.3% for the S&P 500 and 5.2% for the Nasdaq.

Geopolitical Catalyst:

Markets rallied on optimism surrounding a potential Israel-Lebanon ceasefire announcement, scheduled for 5 p.m. ET Thursday. President Trump indicated next-round U.S.-Iran talks could occur "probably, maybe, next weekend," with earlier comments suggesting Iran wants to "make a deal very badly." The ceasefire is viewed as critical for restarting diplomatic negotiations and broader regional de-escalation.

Economic Data:

Weekly jobless claims remained below expectations, signaling labor market stability, though employers appear cautious about new hiring amid ongoing geopolitical uncertainty.

Corporate Earnings:

• PepsiCo: Shares gained on strong results
• Abbott Laboratories: Declined after cutting full-year guidance
• Charles Schwab: Fell following earnings release
• Netflix: Traded actively after announcing co-founder Reed Hastings will step down as chairman
• AI-Related Stocks: Several companies rallied on AI-focused rebrands and initiatives

Market Implications:

While geopolitical optimism drives current momentum, analysts caution that sustained gains require clearer diplomatic progress. Strategists note markets have "snapped back" from oversold conditions and must now focus on fundamental performance as earnings season accelerates. Volatility risks remain tied to potential negotiation setbacks or conflict escalation.