<ul>
<li>Futures up: Dow 0.32%, S&amp;P 500 0.19%, Nasdaq 0.1%</li>
<li>Netflix slumps after earnings, co-founder Hastings exits</li>
<li>Indexes headed for third straight week of gains</li>
</ul>
(Updates prices)
By Niket Nishant and Avinash P
April 17 (Reuters) - U.S. stock index futures rose on Friday and were set for a strong weekly close as investors welcomed signs of easing Middle East tensions.
Sentiment improved after U.S. President Donald Trump said Washington could soon secure a peace agreement to end the war with Iran, while urging the Tehran-backed Hezbollah group to respect a 10-day truce that had taken effect between Lebanon and Israel.
The prospect of de-escalation encouraged investors to buy risk assets, including battered technology and software stocks. Analysts said a broader risk-on move could persist even without an immediate peace deal, provided investors remain confident that a resolution is ultimately within reach.
“A resolution is more likely than not over the coming weeks even if the path is unlikely to be a straight line,” analysts at Deutsche Bank wrote.
At 06:47 a.m., Dow E-minis (YMcv1) were up 157 points, or 0.32%, S&amp;P 500 E-minis (EScv1) were up 13.25 points, or 0.19%, and Nasdaq 100 E-minis (NQcv1) were up 26.75 points, or 0.1%.
However, caution around the weekend talks between U.S. and Iranian officials lingers and any breakdown could reignite volatility.
Moreover, passage through the Strait of Hormuz remains disrupted, keeping oil prices nearly 36% above pre-war levels even as the S&amp;P 500 (.SPX) and the Nasdaq Composite (.IXIC) fully recovered their earlier losses.
Both indexes marked a second straight record close on Thursday, and all three were on track for a third consecutive weekly gain.
With no major economic data scheduled for release on Friday, investors are likely to focus more on corporate earnings, which so far this week have pointed to a resilient U.S. consumer.
Notable movers in the premarket session included Netflix (NFLX.O) , which slipped 10.3% after forecasting current-quarter earnings below expectations. The slide comes as co-founder and longtime chairman Reed Hastings steps down, ending a 29-year tenure.
Alcoa (AA.N) fell 2.7% after the aluminum producer reported first-quarter profit and revenue below analyst estimates, citing elevated costs and softening demand.
Fifth Third Bancorp (FITB.O) fell 1.8% after reporting first-quarter earnings.
Central bank commentary will also be in focus, with San Francisco Fed President Mary Daly, Richmond Fed President Tom Barkin, and Federal Reserve Governor Christopher Waller scheduled to speak.
However, recent remarks from Fed officials have had limited impact on rate expectations.
Markets are currently pricing in the central bank to hold interest rates throughout 2026, according to LSEG-compiled data, a stark shift from pre-war odds when they expected two cuts.

The off-table confrontation has escalated! Iran's Foreign Minister presented ceasefire conditions and announced a comprehensive management plan for the Strait of Hormuz. Trump, in turn, decisively canceled his trip to Pakistan and maintained the blockade. Will this "power versus power" contest ignite war or lead to a turning point? Feel free to share your views in the comments section.

The off-table confrontation has escalated! Iran's Foreign Minister presented ceasefire conditions and announced a comprehensive management plan for the Strait of Hormuz. Trump, in turn, decisively canceled his trip to Pakistan and maintained the blockade. Will this "power versus power" contest ignite war or lead to a turning point? Feel free to share your views in the comments section.

With neither side willing to back down, is there any hope for a second round of negotiations?

.SPX

.DJI

.NDXTMC

- U.S. stock index futures increased, indicating a strong weekly close as tensions in the Middle East eased and investors anticipated a potential peace agreement regarding Iran.  
- Netflix shares dropped by 10.3% after disappointing earnings forecasts and the resignation of co-founder Reed Hastings, while Alcoa and Fifth Third Bancorp also experienced losses.  
- Markets are expected to remain focused on corporate earnings and central bank comments, with current expectations suggesting the Federal Reserve will maintain interest rates throughout 2026.

Reuters

S&P 500

Dow Jones Industrial Average

NASDAQ 100 Technology Sector Market-Cap Weighted Index

Fifth Third Bancorp

Netflix

Alcoa

NASDAQ-100

NASDAQ Composite Index

SPDR S&P 500

Direxion Daily NFLX Bull 2X Shares

VG S&P 500

iShares Core S&P 500

Invesco QQQ Trust

T-REX 2X Long NFLX Daily Target ETF

Roundhill NFLX WeeklyPay ETF

SPDR Djia

Deutsche Bank AG

Deutsche Bank AG Subscription Rights

Deutsche Postbank AG

Fifth Third Bancorp Pref Share FITBO 4.95 Perp 09/30/24 K

FIFTH THIRD BANK PREF SHARE FITB V6.625 P12/31/49 I

Fifth Third Bancorp Pref Shares FITBM 6.875 Perp 10/01/30

Fifth Third Bancorp Depositary Shs B Ser A Repr 1/40 6 % Perp Pfd Registered Shs B Ser A

US STOCKS-Wall St poised for weekly gain as futures climb on Middle East peace hopes