Finance

Shares of Intel Corporation soared 23.6% on Friday, surpassing its dot-com era peak to reach a new all-time high following a stellar quarterly profit report. The company's performance was driven by optimistic guidance regarding AI-related demand, which significantly boosted the broader semiconductor and information technology sectors.

Oil prices experienced volatile trading sessions as investors weighed the ongoing Iran conflict against potential signs of renewed peace negotiations. Despite a naval blockade and general Middle East uncertainty, markets remained resilient as corporate earnings fundamentals provided a buffer against geopolitical risks.

Bitcoin and Ethereum maintained steady values through late April, with Bitcoin trading in a range above $78,000 despite cooling momentum in derivatives markets. Investors appear to be adopting a cautious stance in the digital asset space as they monitor macroeconomic pressures like rising energy prices and global inflation.

Advanced nuclear reactor firm X-energy debuted on the public market this Friday, raising over $1 billion in the largest nuclear-related public offering to date. The stock surged more than 30% on its first day of trading, reflecting heightened investor interest in electrification and the energy needs of the AI boom.

U.S. Attorney Jeanine Pirro announced the closure of a criminal investigation into outgoing Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell on April 24. This development coincided with a day of mixed movements in Treasury yields, with the 10-year yield trading around 4.31% as investors look ahead to upcoming central bank leadership transitions.