Wall Street rises as tech stocks gain and oil prices ease

US stocks closed higher on Friday, 25 September, completing their first winning week in three. Falling oil prices offered relief, while technology shares advanced and reports of exploratory US–Iran talks helped market sentiment. [1] [2]

The Dow Jones Industrial Average rose 478.64 points, or 0.9%, to 51,828.62. The S&P 500 gained 39.28 points, or 0.5%, to 7,743.41, while the Nasdaq Composite added 129.34 points, also about 0.5%, to finish at 27,068.72. [1]

Microsoft climbed 3.7% after unveiling new capabilities in its Copilot app, including a coding tool and an always-on AI agent. Seven of the S&P 500’s 11 sector indices advanced, led by information technology, which rose 0.91%. [2]

Oil prices also declined. US West Texas Intermediate crude settled at $92.41 a barrel, down $2.20, or 2.3%. Analysts at energy advisory firm Ritterbusch and Associates linked the selling both to diplomatic prospects and to discussion of a possible US diesel-export ban. [3]

Exploratory talks over Iran war

Reuters, citing sources close to the talks, reported that US and Iranian negotiators in New York were exploring a phased route out of the war. The arrangement under discussion would involve Tehran reopening the Strait of Hormuz and Washington lifting its economic blockade of Iran. [3]

Crude shipments through the strait were continuing. Reuters reported on Friday that preliminary Kpler ship-tracking data showed 33.7 million barrels had moved out through the waterway in the week beginning 20 September, putting exports roughly on track with the previous week’s levels. [3]