US stocks today: U.S. stocks gains after Iran ceasefire extension and robust earnings bring relief

Wall Street's main indexes edged higher on Wednesday after U.S. President Donald Trump extended the ceasefire with Iran, even as uncertainty remained over whether Tehran and U.S. ally Israel would honor the truce.

Trump said the indefinite extension of the ceasefire followed a request by Pakistani mediators. However, the U.S. Navy's blockade of Iranian ports remained in effect, and Iran seized two ships in the Strait of Hormuz.

The opening ‌of the waterway, ⁠responsible for ⁠about 20% of global oil supply, remains a major unknown for investors and has been one of the sticking points in the negotiations.


The bullish sentiment despite the uncertainty points to a market desperate to cling to good news, and reflects investor belief that despite setbacks, the war will be settled at the negotiating table instead of the battlefield.

"At some stage, this rally is going to come to a halt. But I don't think that the majority of investors feel that way at all," said David Morrison, senior market analyst at Trade Nation.

At 09:50 a.m. ET, the Dow Jones Industrial Average rose 343.83 points, or 0.72%, to 49,504.58, the S&P ⁠500 gained 45.98 ‌points, or 0.65%, to 7,109.99 and the Nasdaq Composite gained 185.28 points, or 0.76%, to 24,445.24.

Risks of an inflation flare-up remain, with oil prices near the $100-a-barrel mark. This lifted the benchmark's energy sector 1.2% higher.

"It's possible that ⁠we see a continuation of negative headlines, ultimatums and deadlines for negotiations, but that doesn't mean that stocks will react meaningfully to each one, since markets already priced-in the worst of the conflict during the lows made back in March," said Rick Gardner, chief investment officer, RGA Investments.

Information technology stocks were the biggest boosts on the Nasdaq Composite and the S&P 500, with the sector adding 0.6%.

The Philadelphia SE Semiconductor Index hit a fresh peak and was on track for its 16th straight day of gains -- its longest streak ever.

Seagate jumped 2.2% after Barclays upgraded the data storage firm's rating to "overweight".

EARNINGS LIFT SENTIMENT

A strong run of earnings so far has reassured Wall Street about the health of the ‌U.S. consumer, the growth engine of the economy.

S&P 500 EPS estimates for 2026 and 2027 have risen by 4% since late January, according to data from Goldman Sachs.

GE Vernova advanced 13.3% after the power equipment maker raised its annual revenue forecast. Medical device maker Boston Scientific's ⁠shares were up 8.2% after first-quarter results.

Shares of planemaker Boeing rose 1.6% after a smaller-than-expected quarterly loss, and were among the biggest boosts on the Dow.

United Airlines, however, declined 3.7% after forecasting second-quarter and full-year profits below Wall Street estimates as higher jet fuel prices squeeze margins and cloud its near-term outlook.

EV giant Tesla, chipmaker Texas Instruments and Southwest Airlines will report after markets close.

Adobe was 3.2% higher after it unveiled a share repurchase program worth up to $25 billion.

Robinhood gained 2.9% after the retail trading platform's venture fund invested $75 million in ChatGPT maker OpenAI. Advancing issues outnumbered decliners by a 3.06-to-1 ratio on the NYSE and by a 2.63-to-1 ratio on the Nasdaq.

The S&P 500 posted 26 new 52-week highs and one new low while the Nasdaq Composite recorded 79 new highs and 26 new lows.