NEW YORK, New York - U.S. stock markets closed higher on Thursday as investor optimism grew over the survival of a truce negotiated by U.S. President Donald Trump with Iran. The three major indices posted solid gains.

U.S. Markets Rally on Geopolitical Hopes

Trading sentiment was buoyed by reports suggesting that a fragile truce between the Trump administration and Iran might hold, easing fears of a broader conflict in the Middle East. Energy prices cooled on the news, providing a tailwind for consumer and transportation stocks.

The Standard and Poor's 500 advanced 41.85 points, or 0.62 percent, to close at 6,824.66. The index traded between 6,761.55 and 6,835.31 during the session, with volume reaching 2.914 billion shares.

The Dow Jones Industrial Average climbed 275.88 points, or 0.58 percent, finishing at 48,185.80. It moved within a daily range of 47,690.27 to 48,323.95 on volume of 436.997 million shares.

The NASDAQ Composite posted the strongest gain among the three, rising 187.42 points, or 0.83 percent, to end at 22,822.42. Volume totaled 7.3 billion shares.

Market Outlook

Investors now turn their attention to upcoming economic data and any further developments regarding the Iran truce. "The market is pricing in a best-case scenario that the ceasefire holds," said one New York-based trader. "But volatility could return quickly if negotiations stumble."

U.S. Dollar Slides as Euro, Pound, and Antipodean Currencies Advance; Yen and Swiss Franc Follow Suit

Foreign exchange markets saw a one-way session on Thursday, with the U.S. dollar losing ground against the euro, British pound, Australian dollar, the Canadian dollar, Swiss franc and New Zealand dollar, while edging hmodestly igher against the Japanese yen. 

Here are the latest closing quotes for major currency pairs:

Euro Rallies Against Dollar

The euro rose 0.36 percent against the U.S. dollar, with the EURUSD pair closing at 1.17043. 

Yen Weakens Slightly

The U.c.S dollar gained 0.32 percent versus the Japanese yen, sending USDJPY to 159.041. The move reflected persistent interest rate differentials between the Federal Reserve and the Bank of Japan.

Canadian Dollar Firms

The US dollar fell 0.22 percent against its Canadian counterpart, with USDCAD settling at 1.38131. The loonie was supported by firmer oil prices later in the session.

Pound Sterling Advances

The British pound strengthened 0.36 percent against the U.S. dollar, lifting GBPUSD to 1.3439. 

Swiss Franc Edges Higher

The U.S. dollar declined 0.09 percent versus the Swiss franc, pushing USDCHF down to 0.7900. 

Australian Dollar Jumps

The Australian dollar rallied 0.61 percent against the dollar, with AUDUSD closing at 0.7085. The move came after stronger-than-expected employment figures out of Australia earlier in the week.

New Zealand Dollar Leads Gains

The New Zealand dollar posted the strongest advance of the session, climbing 0.67 percent against the greenback to last trade at 0.5860. The kiwi extended its recent winning streak on expectations of a more hawkish Reserve Bank of New Zealand.

Market Summary

Overall, the U.S. dollar index traded modestly lower on Thursday as investors weighed whether the fragile ceasefire between th U.S. and Iran will survive, amid an Israel escalation in attacks on Lebanon./

Global Stock Markets End Thursday Divided as Selloffs in Asia Offset European Gains

Global stock markets closed with a mixed performance on Thursday, as steep losses in India, South Korea, and Hong Kong countered modest gains in Australia, Belgium, and Israel. UK and European indices mostly finished lower, while a handful of Asian benchmarks managed to eke out advances.

The following are the closing quotes for major indices worldwide:

Canada

In contrast to the upbeat mood on Wall Street, Canada'sS&P/TSX Composite indexlost ground. The benchmark fell 142.86 points, or 0.42 percent, closing at 33,477.71. Volume came in at 309.475 million shares.

UK and Europe

FTSE 100 (^FTSE) in London fell 5.40 points, or 0.05 percent, to end at 10,603.48. The index traded between 10,552.94 and 10,643.61 during the session.

DAX P (^GDAXI) in Germany dropped 273.64 points, or 1.14 percent, closing at 23,806.99. Its daily range spanned 23,673.12 to 23,989.01.

France's CAC 40 (^FCHI) lost 18.07 points, or 0.22 percent, finishing at 8,245.80 after moving between 8,183.36 and 8,254.56.

The EURO STOXX 50 I (^STOXX50E) declined 17.08 points, or 0.29 percent, to settle at 5,896.29. The index saw a low of 5,851.00 and a high of 5,909.99.

The Euronext 100 Index (^N100) gained 5.04 points, or 0.28 percent, closing at 1,825.62. It traded from 1,808.98 to 1,825.68.

In Belgium the BEL 20 (^BFX) rose 24.55 points, or 0.46 percent, ending at 5,417.26 after touching a low of 5,357.87 and a high of 5,417.26.

Asia

HANG SENG INDEX (^HSI) in Hong Kong fell 140.62 points, or 0.54 percent, to close at 25,752.40. The index ranged between 25,653.63 and 25,854.80.

The SSE Composite Index (000001.SS) in mainland China lost 28.83 points, or 0.72 percent, ending at 3,966.17 with 2.617 billion shares traded.

Singapore's STI Index (^STI) dropped 18.97 points, or 0.38 percent, finishing at 4,977.08. Its daily low was 4,974.34 and high 5,009.89.

The Australian S&P/ASX 200 (^AXJO) advanced 21.40 points, or 0.24 percent, closing at 8,973.20 after trading from 8,904.90 to 8,973.20.

Australia's ALL ORDINARIES (^AORD) edged up 3.20 points, or 0.03 percent, to end at 9,168.90. The index moved between 9,108.80 and 9,168.90.

In India the S&P BSE SENSEX (^BSESN) tumbled 931.25 points, or 1.20 percent, closing at 76,631.65. It saw a low of 76,347.90 and a high of 77,429.33.

Indonesia's IDX COMPOSITE (^JKSE) gained 28.38 points, or 0.39 percent, settling at 7,307.59. The index ranged from 7,191.59 to 7,308.58.

The FTSE Bursa Malaysia KLCI (^KLSE) fell 10.07 points, or 0.59 percent, to close at 1,686.24 after trading between 1,680.01 and 1,692.65.

In New Zealand the S&P/NZX 50 Gross Index (^NZ50) rose 19.87 points, or 0.15 percent, finishing at 13,273.81. Its daily range was 13,222.30 to 13,425.82.

South Korea's KOSPI Composite Index (^KS11) plunged 94.33 points, or 1.61 percent, closing at 5,778.01. No intraday low or high data was reported.

In Taiwan the TWSE Capitalization Weighted Stock Index (^TWII) added 99.78 points, or 0.29 percent, ending at 34,861.16.

Japan's Nikkei 225 (^N225) declined 413.10 points, or 0.73 percent, to settle at 55,895.32.

Middle East & Africa

In Israel the TA-125 (^TA125.TA) surged 99.18 points, or 2.39 percent, closing at 4,255.83. The index traded from 4,208.47 to 4,255.83.

Egypt's EGX 30 Price Return Index (^CASE30) jumped 484.60 points, or 1.00 percent, to finish at 49,078.60 on volume of 368.201 million shares. It moved between 48,328.20 and 49,144.00.

In South Africa the Top 40 USD Net TRI Index (^JN0U.JO) fell 109.72 points, or 1.50 percent, closing at 7,212.70.

(This report incorporates quotes retrieved with the assistance of artificial intelligence).

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