STOXX EUROPE 600 INDEX ERASES DECLINE, TRADES FLAT

- The technology-heavy Nasdaq Composite pulled sharply off its record highs yesterday in what became its worst day since March. Steep post-earnings slides for key software names dragged the broader sector lower, as investors weighed artificial intelligence’s threat to software companies’ business models. • ServiceNow tumbled more than 17% for its worst day on record after acknowledging headwinds from the Middle East conflict. • IBM dropped more than 8% after holding guidance steady despite strong results for its latest quarter. • Tesla shares slipped more than 3% after the EV maker said spending this year would be $5 billion more than it previously anticipated. - Intel shares are also 27% higher this morning following a much stronger-than-anticipated earnings report. - Crude oil prices are lower this morning amid reports that Iranian negotiators are heading to Pakistan, boosting investor hopes that U.S.-Iran peace talks might resume. - Microsoft announced on Thursday that it is offering voluntary buyouts to about 7% of its U.S. employees — a first for the company. The plans follow multiple rounds of layoffs last year. Meanwhile, Big Tech peer Meta said it will cut about 8,000 employees, or 10% of its workforce, and terminate hiring plans for 6,000 open roles.

據伊朗國際電視臺表示，伊朗與美國代表在伊斯蘭堡談判的代表團負責人卡利巴夫已辭職，並退出談判代表團。美、布兩油短線上揚近1美元，現分別報98.4美元/桶和100.07美元/桶。