Middle East Peace Talks Lift Risk Appetite and Technology Shares
FB
Freya Blackwell
S&P 500 earnings beat miss · Apr 18, 2026
Source: DojiDoji Data Terminal
Technology and software sectors saw buying interest as investor risk appetite increased following comments from President Donald Trump suggesting a peace agreement with Iran and a truce between Lebanon and Israel. Nasdaq 100 E-minis added 28.5 points and Nasdaq futures rose 0.14 percent. Broadcom shares gained in premarket trading after Meta extended a custom chip deal. Dow E-minis rose 168 points, or 0.34%, and S&P 500 E-minis added 0.19%.
Oil prices remain 36% above pre-war levels due to disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz. Higher energy costs feed inflation and squeeze corporate margins. Netflix shares dropped 9.3% in premarket trading after forecasting earnings below expectations and announcing the departure the co-founder Reed Hastings. Alcoa fell 2.3% on weak first-quarter results caused by high costs and soft demand. Wall Street's ability to hold gains depends on whether peace talks continue to advance and whether earnings can withstand higher input costs.