Microsoft Lifts Dow Amid Cautious Optimism Over Iran Deal
The Dow Jones Industrial Average led market indexes higher on Friday as Microsoft contributed significantly to the gains. The software giant's stock rose 4.1% after it merged its consumer and workplace Copilot apps into one enterprise product, adding 120 points to the Dow.
Microsoft's decision to focus on a more lucrative customer class was seen positively by investors, who applauded the company's move to cede the personal chatbot market to OpenAI, Alphabet, and Meta. In contrast, Meta dropped 3.6% after its announcement that it would put its Muse agent into AI glasses.
The United States Oil Fund fell 3.2% as Iran offered to reopen the Strait of Hormuz within seven days, potentially restarting nuclear talks with Washington. However, investors remain cautious about this development, given the Trump administration's previous rejection of similar terms.