The New York Stock Exchange under the pressure of geopolitics. Investors are waiting for talks between the US and Iran
At closing, the Dow Jones Industrial Average fell by 0.59%, reaching 47,916.57 points. The S&P 500 fell 0.11%. to 6,816.89 points, while the Nasdaq Composite increased by 0.35%. up to 22,902.89 points
Despite Friday's declines, the S&P 500 increased by over 3% for the week, the Nasdaq by over 4%, and the Dow Jones gained about 3%. This means that it was the best week since the end of 2025 for the first two indices.
Geopolitics in the focus of investors' attention
Investors are following developments in the international arena with concern, especially in the context of the ceasefire between the United States and Iran. Talks between the delegations of both countries are to be held in Islamabad on Saturday, and the main topic will be navigation through the strategically important Strait of Hormuz.
— Tension in markets is easing ahead of the weekend talks, and hopes for de-escalation in Lebanon are helping to ease fears that the ceasefire may collapse, Deutsche Bank analysts said in a report.
Read also: Relief rally on stock markets after de-escalation. Gold disappoints investors
However, as Bloomberg's Garfield Reynolds noted, iinvestors may assess the situation too optimistically. According to him, the stock market rebound ignores the potential long-term effects of the conflict, such as supply shocks.
Iran sets conditions
On Friday, the Speaker of the Iranian Parliament, Mohammad Bager Ghalibaf, emphasized that Before starting negotiations with the US, two conditions must be met: a ceasefire in Lebanon and the unblocking of Iranian assets. Ghalibaf will lead the Iranian delegation during the talks.
The ceasefire agreement that was negotiated with the help of Pakistan, Fris effective from Wednesday and is expected to last two weeks. However, both sides differ on its details, especially in the context of including Lebanon.
Read also: Polish fintech enters Dubai. “A very important step”
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced on Thursday that his country is ready for peace talks with Lebanon, which would include the disarmament of Hezbollah. According to NBC News, US President Donald Trump insisted on such negotiations.
