Markets rally as geopolitics ease and major indices notch gains
Futures pointed higher after a rebound in stocks as investors welcomed easing geopolitical tensions, with the Dow up about 0.6%, the S&P 500 around 0.6%, and the Nasdaq about 0.9% in regular trading, while the Dow Transports hit an all-time high. Trump’s move to suspend tariffs on eight European nations and talk of a Greenland framework alleviated risk appetite, though gold prices continued to rise to record levels. After-hours, Intel slumped ~12% on weak Q1 guidance, and Capital One announced it would acquire Brex for $5.15 billion. Intuitive Surgical rose on solid results, and Clorox agreed to buy Gojo Industries. Futures for the Dow slipped ~0.1%, while the S&P 500 and Nasdaq futures inched lower or higher modestly. The week remains mixed, with the Dow little changed or up slightly, and the S&P 500 and Nasdaq on track for a second straight weekly decline.
