New York Stock Exchange opens with mixed gains and losses amid heightened attention on US-Iran ceasefire negotiations

The New York Stock Market opened on the 7th local time with mixed gains and losses, and the direction remained unclear, as the market is watching the possibility that the US-Iran ceasefire negotiations will make progress. The potential easing of tensions in the Middle East may bring some reassurance to investors’ sentiment, but because expectations for corporate performance and outlook vary widely, the trends of the major indices are diverging as well.

As of 10:01 a.m. that day, the Dow Jones Industrial Average on the New York Stock Exchange was down 28.78 points (0.06%) from the previous trading day, at 49,881.81 points. The S&P 500 index rose 0.84 points (0.01%) to 7,365.96; the Nasdaq Composite index rose 77.46 points (0.30%) to 25,916.40. The market is focused on the fact that the US has submitted to Iran a one-page memorandum of understanding regarding ending the war and is waiting for a response. Tahir Andrabi, a spokesperson for Pakistan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, said that a US-Iran agreement is expected to be reached soon, but did not provide a specific timeline.

Investors are highly sensitive to Middle East negotiations, because if geopolitical tensions ease, it may affect energy prices, inflation, and even the outlook for monetary policy. Robert Pavlik, senior portfolio manager at Dakota Wealth Management, assessed that the likelihood of the current conflict becoming prolonged is not high. By sector, technology and communication stocks performed strongly, while energy and real estate stocks weakened. This has been interpreted as indicating that, on the one hand, risk-asset appetite is seeing some recovery, while on the other hand, falling oil prices are adding pressure to the energy sector.

Stock-specific moves were even more pronounced. Semiconductor design company Arm Holdings (ARM) announced adjusted earnings per share of $0.60 for the fourth quarter of fiscal 2026 (this year’s January to March), with revenue of $1.49 billion—both higher than market expectations of $0.58 and $1.47 billion. However, due to market concerns about supply-chain problems needed to produce its new AI chips, the stock fell 8.44%. Whirlpool, an appliance manufacturer, significantly cut its full-year performance outlook, dealing a serious blow to investor confidence. Its full-year EPS guidance was lowered from $6 to between $3 and $3.50, and its full-year revenue forecast was also cut from $15.3 billion to about $15 billion, causing the stock price to plunge 12.30%. Social media company Snap also said its advertising revenue was hit by the Middle East conflict and slower growth in North America, and its stock fell 1.72%.

In overseas markets, European equities generally weakened, and international oil prices also declined. The STOXX 50 in Europe fell 0.33% from the previous trading day to 6,007.00 points; France’s CAC 40 index fell 0.30%; Germany’s DAX index fell 0.46%; and the UK’s FTSE 100 index fell 0.99%. At the same time, the West Texas Intermediate crude oil futures price for June 2026 delivery fell 3.21% from the previous trading day to $92.03 per barrel. The market believes that future outcomes of US-Iran talks, the trend in oil prices, and adjustments to corporate earnings outlooks may still collectively determine the direction of the stock market.