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US stock indices extend gains

"The Nasdaq 100 hit another record high amid strong earnings and hopes for the resumption of US-Iran talks", says Axel Rudolph, Chief Technical Analyst at investing and trading platform IG.

US stocks extend gains while European falter

"While US stock indices extend their gains amid solid earnings and hope for a second round of US-Iran talks, European stocks give back recent gains amid persistently high energy costs and as German business confidence hits a six-year low. After four weeks of falling prices crude has risen by over 10% in the course of this week with Brent oscillating around the $100 per barrel mark. US consumer sentiment hitting its lowest level on record hasn't dampened the bullish mood ahead of the weekend."

US dollar set for weekly gain

“The greenback has seen its first weekly gain this month amid safe-haven flows as traders continue to focus on developments in the Middle East. US government sources signalled a high likelihood of a breakthrough in US–Iran talks in Islamabad, with Iran’s foreign minister expected to arrive imminently, while President Trump has extended the Israel–Lebanon ceasefire by three weeks to support ongoing diplomacy. US yields ended the week higher as the Fed is broadly expected to hold the federal funds rate steady next week, with markets pricing in no additional rate cuts for the remainder of the year."

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Chris Beauchamp

Chris Beauchamp has been with IG for four years, and in that time has become a regular commentator and analyst for the financial press and TV, with appearances on all the major financial channels as well as the BBC and Sky News.

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