- media@moneyinfocus.news
US equity futures advanced on Friday, supported by a wave of stronger-than-expected corporate earnings that helped offset geopolitical uncertainty tied to stalled negotiations between the United States and Iran.
Futures linked to the S&P 500 rose 0.5%, while Nasdaq contracts climbed 1.2%, pointing to fresh record highs at the open. Dow futures were little changed.
Investor sentiment remained constrained by ongoing tensions in the Strait of Hormuz, where the absence of progress in US-Iran discussions has sustained elevated energy prices throughout the week. The continued blockade and lack of constructive dialogue have dampened expectations for a near-term agreement.
Still, earnings momentum provided a decisive counterweight. Shares of Intel surged 25% in pre-market trading after the chipmaker reported results that significantly exceeded expectations and raised projections for full-year profitability.
The rally extended across the artificial intelligence ecosystem, reinforcing bullish positioning in the sector. Gains in Intel, alongside solid earnings from SAP, lifted sentiment toward major AI-linked names including Microsoft, Oracle, and Palantir Technologies, all of which rose more than 1%.
Consumer staples also contributed to the upside. Procter & Gamble gained over 3% after reporting stronger-than-expected sales and reaffirming its full-year outlook.
The session underscores a market increasingly driven by earnings and sector-specific catalysts, with AI-related growth continuing to outweigh macro and geopolitical headwinds in the near term.
