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US Stock Market Live: US stock futures were largely steady on Friday, following recent gains, as investors remained cautious ahead of key developments on the US-Iran ceasefire and upcoming economic data.Futures linked to the Dow Jones Industrial Average were slightly lower (merely 13 points lower), while S&P 500 and Nasdaq 100 futures traded near the flatline.This comes after Wall Street saw a seventh straight day of gains, with the Dow moving into positive territory for 2026. The S&P 500 and Nasdaq have also recorded steady advances this week and are on track for solid weekly gains.Markets have been supported by some easing in geopolitical concerns after US President Donald Trump agreed to pause military action on Iran for two weeks.But the situation remains uncertain. Iran has raised concerns over continued Israeli activity in Lebanon, while Israel has indicated there is no formal ceasefire. Talks are expected over the weekend, which could provide further clarity.Oil prices have come off recent highs but remain elevated, with Brent and WTI trading below $100 per barrel as uncertainty around the Strait of Hormuz continues.On the economic front, investors are awaiting the March consumer price index data, with expectations of a 0.9% month-on-month increase and a 3.3% rise on a yearly basis. Other data points, including durable goods orders and consumer sentiment, are also due.Overall, markets are holding steady for now, with attention on both geopolitical updates and inflation data for further direction.On the domestic front, Indian benchmark indices ended higher, with the Sensex rising 919 points to close at 77,550 and the Nifty gaining 276 points to settle at 24,051, ending near the day’s high.After six straight weeks of losses, the stock market finally found a reason to breathe and then rally. Benchmark indices snapped their losing streak to post their strongest weekly performance in five years, with both the Sensex and Nifty rising nearly 6%.The semiconductor space continues to be at the heart of the AI investment story, offering the most direct way for investors to capitalise on the ongoing transformation. While there are several indirect ways to play the theme, owning chipmakers remains the most straightforward bet on AI growth.Adding to the bullish case, Bank of America analyst Vivek Arya has raised the global semiconductor industry’s 2026 revenue outlook to $1.3 trillion, driven largely by accelerating demand from AI and data centres.Companies such as Nvidia, Broadcom, and Marvell are expected to be key beneficiaries, with gains led by growth in compute, networking, and memory segments.The S&P 500 has climbed back above its crucial 200-day moving average, a key technical level that often signals a shift in market direction and puts bulls back in control.While the move alone isn’t definitive, historical patterns add weight to the breakout. The last time the index slipped below this level in March 2025, it briefly recovered before facing a sharp sell-off in early April. However, once the index reclaimed the 200-day average and successfully retested it from above, it triggered a sustained rally.This time, a similar pattern appears to be unfolding, with the index regaining the level and reinforcing bullish sentiment in the broader market.

At 17:30 IST, WTI crude traded at $98.12, up $0.25 (+0.26%), while Brent crude stood at $96.01, up $0.09 (+0.09%); Murban crude declined to $97.97, down $1.65 (-1.66%), and natural gas fell to $2.649, down $0.021 (-0.79%).NewsLive TVMarketPopular CategoriesCalculatorsTrending NowLet's Connect with CNBCTV 18Network 18 Group :©TV18 Broadcast Limited. All rights reserved.