Finance

Intel Corporation saw its stock price surge 23.6% in a single session, marking its best performance since 1987. The semiconductor giant's record gains were fueled by a first-quarter earnings beat and an optimistic revenue forecast for the second quarter.

Crude oil benchmarks experienced volatile trading before settling lower as reports emerged of potential diplomatic negotiations in Islamabad. U.S. West Texas Intermediate futures fell roughly 1.5% to approximately $94.40 per barrel following news that Iranian and American officials might restart stalled peace discussions.

Bitcoin traded around the $78,000 level as institutional interest remains a primary driver for digital assets. Despite a slight daily dip, the cryptocurrency has maintained its upward momentum through April, though some analysts warn of potential exhaustion as it approaches the $80,000 mark.

The yield on the benchmark 10-year U.S. Treasury note remained near 4.31% as investors balanced strong corporate earnings against ongoing Middle East tensions. Yields have recently mirrored movements in oil prices, reflecting persistent inflationary concerns among fixed-income traders.

With over a quarter of S&P 500 companies having reported first-quarter results, approximately 84% have surpassed analyst earnings estimates. This performance is notably higher than the five-year average of 78%, with companies reporting earnings that are collectively 12.3% above expectations.