Daily News
Trump Extends Iran Ceasefire as Peace Talks Collapse, Markets Slip and Corporate News Flows
22 April 2026
Today in Brief
Trump extended the U.S.-Iran ceasefire citing a "seriously fractured" Iranian government after peace talks in Islamabad collapsed, with Iran refusing further negotiations and keeping the Strait of Hormuz closed, pushing oil above $89 and sending stocks lower.
On the corporate side, GM indefinitely delayed its next-gen EV truck program, SpaceX flagged risks around its AI data center ambitions ahead of a landmark IPO, United Airlines warned on fuel costs, and Adobe announced a $25 billion buyback amid AI disruption fears.
Japan's Nikkei 225 rises to record high as Trump extends Iran ceasefire
Japan's Nikkei 225 hit a record high on Wednesday as President Donald Trump extended a U.S. ceasefire with Iran, even as other Asia-Pacific markets were broadly lower amid concerns that the Middle East conflict could drag on. "Based on the fact that the Government of Iran is seriously fractured, not unexpectedly so and, upon the request of Field Marshal Asim Munir, and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, of Pakistan, we have been asked to hold our Attack on the Country of Iran until such time as their leaders and representatives can come up with a unified proposal," Trump said in a Truth Social post.
Stocks close lower as Iran ceasefire deadline looms amid threat of canceled talks
Stocks dropped on Tuesday as investors grew concerned that a peace deal between the U.S. and Iran would not be struck ahead of a ceasefire that's set to expire Wednesday. The S&P 500 closed down 0.63% at 7,064.01, while the Nasdaq Composite settled 0.59% lower at 24,259.96. The Dow Jones Industrial Average shed 293.18 points, or 0.59%, to finish at 49,149.38. Heading into the market's close, nervousness about the prospect of a U.S.-Iran peace deal was heightened on Wall Street amid reports that Vice President JD Vance's trip to join Iran negotiations was paused because of a lack of commitment from Tehran.
Gold rose above $4,750 an ounce on Wednesday, recouping some losses from the previous session
Gold rose above $4,750 an ounce on Wednesday, recouping some losses from the previous session after President Donald Trump extended the ceasefire with Iran, although plans for a second round of peace negotiations collapsed. Trump said he would delay further strikes until Iran presents a new proposal and negotiations are concluded. Meanwhile, reports indicated Vice President JD Vance cancelled a planned trip to Islamabad for talks after Tehran informed the US via Pakistan that it would not take part in the meeting. Iran also stated it would not reopen the Strait of Hormuz while the US Navy continues intercepting vessels. Still, gold is currently down nearly 10% since the conflict began. The metal also faced additional pressure from the Senate confirmation hearing of Federal Reserve Chair nominee Kevin Warsh, who pledged to act independently.
WTI crude futures stayed above $89 per barrel on Wednesday after rising more than 2% in the previous session
WTI crude futures stayed above $89 per barrel on Wednesday after rising more than 2% in the previous session, as peace talks between the US and Iran stalled and shipping through the Strait of Hormuz remains largely halted. Reports said Vice President JD Vance cancelled a planned trip to Islamabad for negotiations after Tehran notified the US via Pakistan that it would not participate in the meeting. Iran also stated it would not reopen the Strait of Hormuz while the US Navy continues intercepting vessels. Meanwhile, President Donald Trump extended the US-Iran ceasefire, noting that Tehran's leadership was "seriously fractured." He added the truce would stay in place until Iran's leaders deliver a "unified proposal" to end the conflict.
Hormuz is just a 'dry run' if China and U.S. go to war in the Pacific, Singapore foreign minister warns
Should a war break out between China and the U.S. in the Pacific, "what you are seeing in the Strait of Hormuz will be a dry run," Singapore Foreign Minister Vivian Balakrishnan said Wednesday. Balakrishnan made the remarks at CNBC's CONVERGE LIVE event in Singapore, responding to a question on whether the city-state was facing any pressure from Washington and Beijing to choose between the two. Singapore has relationships with both the countries, and is uniquely positioned to take advantage of developments in the U.S. and China, Balakrishnan told CNBC's Steve Sedgwick. The U.S. is Singapore's largest foreign investor with around 6,000 American companies based in the city-state.
Trump Fed chair nominee defends finances, says president never demanded rate cuts
Kevin Warsh, the 56-year-old former Federal Reserve governor, was in the hot seat for his Senate Banking Committee confirmation hearing and said his Fed would be independent from the White House. Warsh fielded questions on issues ranging from his views on monetary policy to his sprawling and complex personal finances to his ties to the Trump White House. He would become the wealthiest Fed chair if confirmed. Questions about the Fed's long-cherished independence have dominated the discourse surrounding the central bank during President Donald Trump's second term. Warsh gave a qualified endorsement of Fed independence — but noted he doesn't believe that dynamic is endangered when the central bank's actions are questioned by elected leaders.
Trump extends ceasefire in Iran, citing 'seriously fractured' Iranian government
President Donald Trump on Tuesday extended the two-week U.S. ceasefire with Iran, saying the extension was warranted due to Tehran's government being "seriously fractured." Trump said the ceasefire, which he earlier had said would end on Wednesday, would continue "until such time as" Iran's leaders and representatives submit a "unified proposal" to end the war with the U.S. and Israel. Trump's announcement came after reports that an expected trip by Vice President JD Vance to Pakistan for a second round of peace talks with Iranian officials had been put on hold, and after the Iranian state news outlet Tasnim reported that negotiators from Tehran had informed their U.S. counterparts through an intermediary in Pakistan that they would not appear for further talks.
Trump administration discussing currency swap line with United Arab Emirates
The White House has discussed offering a financial lifeline to the United Arab Emirates as the U.S. war with Iran wreaks havoc on the Gulf state's economy, a White House official told CNBC. The UAE has not formally requested a currency swap line, and plans are not currently being drawn up, the official said, speaking on condition of anonymity to talk about non-public plans. Still, it is being discussed within the administration, the person said. Such a move would provide liquidity in dollars to the oil-rich UAE, but could be politically tenuous for the administration as U.S. consumers grapple with higher prices at home. The UAE and other Persian Gulf nations have been hit hard by the U.S. war with Iran. Tehran has fired troves of missiles at the U.S.′ regional allies, damaging economic infrastructure. Iran's closure of the Strait of Hormuz has also largely choked off oil exports that the UAE depends on for cash flow.
GM delays next-gen EV truck program
General Motors is indefinitely delaying its next-generation full-size electric truck program, including the GMC Sierra and Chevrolet Silverado, which was set to start in 2028, Crain's Detroit Business reported on Tuesday, citing sources. GM was planning for lower-cost new electric versions of the Sierra, Silverado, Escalade IQ and Hummer SUV and pickup, but suppliers were recently told the program has been halted and no new timetable has been issued, according to the business publication. GM makes the electric trucks out of Factory Zero in Detroit, where the automaker recently laid off workers for about a month in response to slowing EV sales. Crain's reported that GM is expected to bring plug-in hybrid versions of the Silverado and Sierra to another Michigan plant where it will make gasoline-powered trucks. The automaker does not offer any hybrid vehicles in the U.S. but has previously said it would bring the powertrain technology to the market.
SpaceX says unproven AI space data centers may not be commercially viable, filing shows
SpaceX warned investors that its ambitions to build space-based artificial intelligence data centers, as well as human settlements on the moon and Mars, rely on unproven technologies and may not become commercially viable, according to a company filing. The business risks laid out in SpaceX's pre-IPO filing, which have not been previously reported, present a far more cautious assessment of the rocket maker's future than the vision laid out publicly by billionaire CEO Elon Musk in recent weeks, as the company gears up for what could be the largest initial public offering in history. Risk factors in a prospectus are required by U.S. securities law and are designed to inform investors of potential pitfalls while also shielding companies from future legal liability.
United Airlines echoes industry caution as Iran war fuel surge squeezes margins
United Airlines on Tuesday forecast second-quarter and full-year profits below Wall Street estimates as higher jet fuel prices squeeze margins and cloud its near-term outlook, even as demand for premium travel stays robust. The Chicago-based carrier's shares reversed earlier losses and turned higher in after-hours trading, as easing geopolitical tensions following U.S. President Donald Trump's extension of the Iran ceasefire raised hopes that fuel prices could ease. Analysts at Jefferies said United's weaker outlook was largely driven by fuel costs, with underlying performance otherwise broadly in line. The airline said its forecast was based on the Gulf Coast jet fuel forward curve as of April 17, warning that results could hit the upper end of its guidance if prices decline, or the lower end if they increase.
Adobe announces $25 billion stock buyback amid AI disruption fears
Adobe on Tuesday announced a share repurchase program worth up to $25 billion through April 30, 2030, as the Photoshop maker seeks to reassure investors of its growth strategy amid the rise of creative autonomous tools. Its shares rose around 2% in extended trading, but the stock has fallen around 30% this year as investors weigh the effects of new agentic models that many fear could hamper demand for traditional software and design products such as those provided by Adobe. "Our new $25 billion share repurchase authorization is a direct expression of confidence in our robust cash flow and the long-term value we are delivering to investors," said Adobe CFO Dan Durn. In a bid to fend off competition from autonomous tools, Adobe on Monday launched a suite of AI products to help clients automate and personalize digital marketing functions.
