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US Stock Market LIVE Updates: US stocks opened Friday’s session higher after March inflation data largely met expectations, even as energy prices surged sharply. Investors are also watching if upcoming weekend talks can bring more clarity to the fragile Iran ceasefire.The Dow Jones Industrial Average rose about 0.3%, while the S&P 500 and Nasdaq Composite also gained around 0.3% each at the open.Data released by the Labour Department showed consumer prices rose 0.9% month-on-month in March, while annual inflation stood at 3.3%. Economists had expected a 3.4% yearly rise and a similar monthly increase.The spike in inflation was largely driven by energy costs. The gasoline index alone jumped 21.2%, accounting for nearly three-fourths of the monthly increase. It also marked the sharpest rise in the series since 1967, highlighting how disruptions around the Strait of Hormuz are feeding into prices.More data, including durable goods orders and consumer sentiment, is expected later, which could offer cues on how the economy is holding up.Part of the support has come from easing geopolitical worries. US President Donald Trump has paused military action against Iran for two weeks, giving room for negotiations. But the situation is far from settled. Iran has flagged continued Israeli activity in Lebanon, while Israel has said there is no formal ceasefire in place. Talks over the weekend are expected to offer more clarity.Oil prices have cooled from recent highs but are still elevated. Both Brent and WTI crude are holding below the $100 per barrel mark, as uncertainty around the Strait of Hormuz continues to linger.

The war in Iran is prompting states across the country to consider temporarily cutting fuel taxes, a relief measure that could cost them millions of dollars.

As war in the Middle East pushes up energy prices, some government officials are advocating for gas tax holidays to try to help consumers struggling with average costs of $4 a gallon, up roughly 30% from a year ago. Even with the US and Iran reaching a fragile ceasefire, drivers are likely to face elevated gas prices for the near future.

Pawn shop owners across the US say they have seen an increase in demand for loans in the past month or so, a sign of just how punishing higher gas prices are for some Americans. “We are making a lot more loans,” said Tim Cassidy, the fourth generation in his family to run Cassidy’s Jewelry & Loan in Stockton, California. “They have to have that gas, they have to get to work.”

Lower-income households spend a larger portion of their wages on fuel than wealthier families, and so are among the first to feel the hit when pump prices go up. The surge — from an average of $2.984 per gallon before the Iran war to $4.166 as of April 8 — has left some without enough cash to fill up their cars or pay for electricity or groceries.

Vista Equity Partners’ credit-investing arm is raising $250 million for a new fund that will buy the beaten-down debt of software companies, seeking to capitalise on recent selloffs tied to concerns over artificial intelligence.

The Vista Tactical Credit Fund will target a mix of private and broadly syndicated loans, according to a person with knowledge of the situation. It will focus primarily on software and technology companies serving the finance, compliance and health-care end-markets, and in particular those with a strong moat against AI disruption, the person said.

At 20:00 IST, WTI crude traded at $97.64, down 0.24%, Brent crude slipped 0.42% to $95.52, and Murban crude declined 1.66% to $97.97, while natural gas fell 0.71% to $2.651.

CoreWeave shares jumped over 4% after the company announced a multi-year partnership with Anthropic.The agreement will see CoreWeave provide cloud infrastructure support for Anthropic’s Claude AI model, enabling it to run workloads more efficiently.The company also highlighted that, following this deal, nine out of 10 AI model providers now use its platforms, underscoring strong demand for its cloud capabilities.US stocks opened higher on Friday, with all the three major indices gaining in early trade, as investors weighed a sharp rise in inflation alongside hopes that fresh talks over the weekend could stabilise the fragile Iran ceasefire.The Dow Jones Industrial Average rose about 0.3%, while the S&P 500 and Nasdaq Composite also gained around 0.3% each at the open.

US consumer prices rose 0.9% month-on-month in March, in line with expectations, indicating steady inflationary momentum. However, core CPI, which excludes volatile food and energy prices, came in softer than expected at 0.2%, suggesting some easing in underlying price pressures.On a yearly basis, headline inflation stood at 3.3%, while core inflation rose 2.6%, pointing to a gradual moderation in price gains.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.