US stock index futures were mostly higher on Friday, as a solid batch of corporate earnings outweighed concerns over stalled US-Iran negotiations. S&P 500 and Nasdaq futures advanced 0.5% and 1.2%, respectively, setting the stage for fresh record highs, while Dow futures were little changed.
Geopolitical tensions persisted, with the US and Iran maintaining their standoff in the Strait of Hormuz. The absence of meaningful progress in talks has dampened expectations of a near-term agreement, helping to sustain this week’s sharp increase in energy prices.
Even so, strong earnings continued to support equity markets, especially in the AI-focused, growth-oriented segments. Intel jumped 25% in pre-market trading after reporting robust quarterly results and sharply upgrading its sales and profit outlook for the year. Together with upbeat figures from Germany’s SAP, Intel’s rally added further momentum to AI-related names, lifting Microsoft, Oracle, and Palantir by more than 1% each.
Consumer staples also participated in the gains, with Procter & Gamble rising more than 3% after beating revenue estimates and reaffirming its full-year guidance.
