U.S. futures displayed divergent trends on Friday after President Donald Trump revealed that Israel and Lebanon had agreed to prolong their ongoing ceasefire for another three weeks. The development offered markets a measure of relief in the face of persistent geopolitical tension and supply concerns.
As of 4:40 p.m. (Bangkok time), futures linked to the Nasdaq 100 advanced by 0.60%, buoyed by continued interest in technology shares despite the uncertain geopolitical climate. Futures on the S&P 500 showed little movement, while Dow Jones Industrial Average contracts retreated by 0.37%, following a negative session for major indexes.
President Trump stated that the ceasefire extension between Israel and Lebanon followed discussions held at the White House with senior officials, delivering a positive signal for global markets. However, energy markets remained tense. On Friday, Brent crude futures exceeded $100 per barrel, and West Texas Intermediate climbed above $97.40, as concerns over oil supply persisted.
While investors welcomed signs of reduced conflict, attention remained fixed on the potential for a broader peace arrangement. The regional dispute now centers on control of shipping lanes near the Strait of Hormuz, with both Israeli and Lebanese forces seizing commercial vessels. In a post on Truth Social, Trump said he had directed the U.S. Navy to intervene against any boats attempting to lay mines in the corridor.
In the corporate sector, focus has shifted to technology earnings. Intel’s stock gained ground in after-hours trading following a favorable outlook and quarterly results that surpassed expectations. Meanwhile, Texas Instruments posted its largest single-day rally in 25 years after a robust earnings report, highlighting continued demand for chips as major companies expand their data centers.
Investors are also awaiting earnings reports from Procter & Gamble, HCA Healthcare, and Norfolk Southern later in the trading day. In addition, market participants are monitoring the release of the University of Michigan’s final reading of consumer sentiment for April.
