The influential chief of the Pakistani army met with the President of Parliament in Iran on Thursday as part of ongoing negotiations to arrange a second round of talks with the United States.
A first meeting to permanently end the war in the Middle East was held last weekend in Pakistan, a mediating country, but concluded without an agreement.
“We are optimistic about the prospect of an agreement,” said White House spokesperson Karoline Leavitt on Wednesday.
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“This more reassuring geopolitical context has helped stabilize oil prices around $90 a barrel,” noted analysts at Briefing.com, reassuring investors on Wall Street.
However, US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth stated on Thursday that Washington will maintain its blockade of Iranian ports, in effect since Monday, “as long as necessary.”
“We are only at the beginning”
“Despite all the pressure it is facing, the economy seems to be holding up for now,” highlighted Mrs. Forrest.
Meanwhile, the earnings season continues.
“We are only at the beginning,” warned Kim Forrest. “But it seems that, overall, companies are exceeding expectations.”
American snack and beverage giant Pepsico was in positive territory (+0.44% at $156.50) after announcing strong first-quarter results, driven by strong beverage sales in its main market, North America, as well as its international dynamism.
TSMC Slips
Taiwanese semiconductor giant TSMC, listed in Taiwan and New York, reported a record net profit for the first quarter of 2026 on Thursday, driven by the rapid development of artificial intelligence (AI).
However, on Wall Street, its stock was down 2.29% at $366.50, likely due to some profit-taking, according to Mrs. Forrest.
The American market is gearing up to receive more quarterly earnings reports in the coming days. Notably, after the closing, the performance of streaming giant Netflix will be awaited (-0.59% at $107.07).
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As for indicators, operators welcomed figures below expectations regarding jobless claims last week (207,000 vs. expected 215,000).
“This report refutes any idea that the labor market is deteriorating in a way that would curb household spending,” noted Patrick O’Hare from Briefing.com.
Still on indicators, US industrial production declined in March, contrary to analyst expectations for a further increase, according to the Federal Reserve’s monthly survey released Thursday.
