Dow Futures associated with the primary U.S. indices exhibited a lackluster performance in anticipation of potential peace negotiations between the U.S. and Iran over the weekend. Expectations for a sustained resolution to the conflict have been strengthened by a ceasefire agreement between Israel and Lebanon, as U.S. President Donald Trump indicates that an end to the war may be imminent. Elsewhere, it is announced that Chairman Reed Hastings will not stand for re-election later this year, while an underwhelming outlook results in a significant decline in shares of the streaming giant.

Dow Futures fluctuated around the neutral point on Friday, as investors adopted a cautious stance ahead of potential renewed peace negotiations between the U.S. and Iran. By 03:17, the Dow futures contract had gained 124 points, or 0.3%, while another futures had ticked up by 6 points, or 0.1%, and yet another futures had dipped slightly by 14 points, or 0.1%. The benchmark S&P 500 and tech-heavy indices achieved new record highs in the previous session, continuing a weeklong rally, subsequent to President Trump’s declaration of a cessation in hostilities between Israel and Lebanon. Trump indicated that discussions between Washington and Tehran could potentially recommence this weekend, just prior to the conclusion of their ceasefire later this month. With a fragile ceasefire in the Middle East seemingly maintaining its course, market participants shifted their focus to the technology sector, which has been recovering from a downturn at the beginning of 2026, prompted by concerns regarding potential disruptions caused by emerging artificial intelligence technologies. Firms engaged in the production of the hardware essential for advanced AI chips, including Sandisk, Intel, and Micron Technology, have emerged as notable performers. In the interim, analysts have observed generally robust corporate outcomes during the initial phase of the current quarterly earnings season. Executives at major Wall Street banks broadly characterized the U.S. economy as robust amid an energy shock induced by the Iran war, while firms connected to the industrial sector, such as J.B. Hunt, reported profits despite a surge in fuel costs driven by the conflict.

In conjunction with the potential for weekend discussions with Iran, Trump indicated that he might contemplate prolonging their ceasefire should Washington approach a consensus with Tehran. The cessation of hostilities between Israel and Lebanon is likely to eliminate a significant obstacle in the negotiation process. In the context of the U.S.-Iran ceasefire, Israel persists in executing strikes against Hezbollah militants aligned with Iran in the adjacent territory of Lebanon. Officials from both Israel and Lebanon have confirmed the truce; however, Hezbollah has refrained from stating its acceptance, indicating that its actions will depend on the progression of events. Trump has once again expressed his conviction that the conflict in Iran, which commenced in late February, ought to conclude promptly. “Generally I’m sympathetic to the view that a resolution is more likely than not over the coming weeks even if the path is unlikely to be a straight line,” stated Jim Reid.

Oil prices remained under $100 a barrel, as traders monitored expectations for a sustainable peace agreement. In the wake of the war’s outbreak, crude prices experienced a sharp increase, reaching a peak of $120 per barrel, in contrast to the pre-conflict benchmark of approximately $70 per barrel. The significant increase can be attributed to the effective closure of the Strait of Hormuz, a narrow waterway off Iran’s southern coast, through which approximately one-fifth of the world’s oil is transported. Estimates indicate that approximately 13 million barrels per day of oil production have been affected due to the closure of the strait. The energy shock has consequently ignited concerns regarding a potential surge in inflation across various nations and a slowdown in global economic growth. The ongoing discourse has centered on the ripple effects of these trends, influencing a wide array of factors, including central bank interest rate policy, gold, and currencies. Both the International Energy Agency and the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries have issued warnings regarding a potential decline in demand in the upcoming months. Additionally, limited shipping activity through the Strait of Hormuz, coupled with a continuing U.S. blockade of Iranian ports, could adversely affect supply levels. “Control of the strait remains the main flashpoint,” analysts noted, cautioning that U.S.-Iran negotiations could extend for as long as six months.

Netflix’s shares experienced a decline in premarket U.S. trading and early European transactions, following the streaming company’s revenue growth projections that fell short of expectations and the announcement that Chairman Reed Hastings would not pursue re-election. The group maintained its full-year outlook and indicated that its second-quarter operating margins would be lower compared to the same period last year. Netflix indicated that “growth in content amortization will be first-half weighted due to the timing of title launches,” and it anticipates the second quarter will “have the highest year-over-year content amortization growth rate in 2026, before decelerating to mid-to-high single digit growth in the second half of the year.” Simultaneously, Netflix announced in a letter that Hastings, who co-founded the company as a DVD-by-mail service nearly thirty years ago and has guided its evolution into a powerhouse of the entertainment industry, will resign from the firm’s board upon the conclusion of his term in June.

In the first quarter, Apple’s iPhone shipments in China experienced a notable increase of 20%, marking the most robust growth among leading vendors, despite a contraction in the overall market attributed to escalating memory chip costs, as indicated by the data. The U.S. technology behemoth ascended to the second position during the quarter, bolstered by persistent demand for the iPhone 17 series, strategic promotional price reductions, and government subsidies. The period also saw it achieve the highest growth rate among the top six brands. Counterpoint indicated that Apple is regarded as optimally situated to endure a persistent memory chip shortage, referencing its high-end product range and effective supply chain management. “In the near-to-medium term, it is more likely to absorb rising costs internally and expand its market share,” the firm stated. Smartphone shipments in China experienced a decline of 4% during the January-to-March period, impacted by disruptions in the supply chain and escalating chip prices. “Increasing component costs are currently elevating retail prices, impacting both established models and the introductory prices of new devices.” Analyst Ivan Lam stated “This trend is expected to keep the Chinese smartphone market under significant pressure through the second quarter.”