US stocks outlook positive due to Iran war containment and earnings

PARAGRAPH 1 --- U.S. stocks surged this week, with the S&P 500 Index ($SPX) hitting record highs, driven by strong earnings from tech companies like Intel and optimism surrounding U.S.-Iran peace talks. Despite ongoing geopolitical tensions, investors have been willing to look past rising inflation and focus on robust corporate profits.

PARAGRAPH 2 --- The tech sector led the rally, with the Nasdaq 100 Index ($IUXX) up +1.19% on Friday. Semiconductor stocks, in particular, benefited from Intel's earnings beat and positive guidance. Meanwhile, the energy sector initially saw a boost from elevated oil prices but gave up gains as investors priced in a potential Iran peace deal, which could ease supply concerns.

PARAGRAPH 3 --- Next, investors should watch for earnings reports from major tech companies such as Microsoft (MSFT) and Alphabet (GOOGL) in the coming weeks. Additionally, any updates on U.S.-Iran negotiations or geopolitical developments will continue to influence market sentiment. Lastly, the U.S. April jobs report, due on May 8, will provide crucial insights into the labor market's recovery and potential Fed policy changes.