NEW YORK, April 24, 2026 — U.S. equity markets rallied as the S&P 500 and Nasdaq closed at record highs on Friday, driven by a blowout quarter from Intel and growing hopes for renewed U.S.-Iran peace talks. The Nasdaq rose about 1.6% and the S&P 500 climbed roughly 0.8% while the Dow slipped near 80 points. Intel shares jumped about 23.6% after stronger-than-expected revenue and profit guidance tied to rising AI demand, propelling a broader semiconductor rally and extending the PHLX chip index’s long winning streak. Corporate reporting season remains solid: about 81% of S&P 500 companies have beaten estimates and aggregate earnings growth is seen at 16.1% year-on-year, LSEG data show. Oil prices eased on optimism over potential negotiations after Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi travelled to Pakistan and U.S. envoys were reported heading there, with U.S. crude near $94.40 and Brent around $105.30 a barrel. Treasury yields dipped (10-year near 4.31%), while crypto and gold saw modest moves. Market attention shifts to a heavy slate of upcoming megacap earnings and central bank developments next week.

WASHINGTON, April 24, 2026 — The U.S. Justice Department announced it is closing its criminal investigation into Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell, U.S. Attorney for the District of Columbia Jeanine Pirro said on April 24. Pirro referred questions about cost overruns on the Fed’s Washington headquarters renovation — costs that rose from an initial estimate of about $1.9 billion to roughly $2.46–$2.5 billion — to the Fed’s Office of Inspector General, which has been reviewing the project since July 2025 and previously issued audits in 2021 and 2022. A federal judge in March quashed subpoenas tied to the probe, saying prosecutors had shown “essentially zero evidence” of criminality. The move removes a key obstacle to President Donald Trump’s nominee, Kevin Warsh, who is seeking Senate confirmation to succeed Powell when his chair term ends May 15. Senator Thom Tillis had been withholding support pending the probe’s closure. Pirro said her office could reopen a criminal investigation depending on the inspector general’s findings.

Eli Lilly’s newly launched oral obesity pill Foundayo recorded 3,707 U.S. prescriptions in the week ended April 17, up from 1,390 in its shortened debut week, according to IQVIA data cited by analysts on April 24. That compares with Novo Nordisk’s oral Wegovy, which logged about 18,410 prescriptions in its first full week after launching in January and 3,071 in the first four days of its rollout. Investors reacted to the gap: Lilly shares fell roughly 4% while U.S.-listed Novo shares rose about 6%. Analysts noted Foundayo’s second-week uptake was “modest,” pointing to Novo’s first-mover advantage, stronger brand recognition and earlier time-to-market. Lilly began accepting prescriptions on April 1, shipped the first orders on April 6 and widened retail and telehealth availability from April 9; the company cautioned early weekly figures may not capture all channels. Market watchers said weeks eight to 12 will be more telling for commercial momentum as distribution and payer access expand.

Jane Street reported a record $39.6 billion in net trading revenue for 2025, according to documents reviewed by Reuters and market reports on April 24, 2026. The New York-based market maker generated roughly $15.5 billion in the fourth quarter alone, outpacing major high-speed trading rivals and several investment banks. Sources cited trading revenues at Citadel Securities and Hudson River Trading of about $12.2 billion and $12.3 billion respectively, while JPMorgan reported $35.8 billion in trading revenue for the year. Jane Street, which employs about 3,500 people, trades a wide range of products including ETFs, equities, bonds, options, commodities and currencies, and also holds longer-dated positions through a hedge-fund-like unit. The firm’s results were boosted by higher valuations of stakes in private companies, notably AI lab Anthropic, and by a capital structure that has not accepted outside investment, allowing it to hold larger positions. Jane Street declined to comment on the figures. Some industry reports also cited an adjusted EBITDA figure for the firm, underscoring sizable profit margins tied to elevated market volatility in 2025.

Comcast disclosed executive pay in its 2026 proxy filing, showing co-CEO (formerly president) Michael Cavanagh received a $71.8 million compensation package for 2025, up from $28.3 million in 2024. The bulk was stock awards valued at roughly $60.3 million, including a Dec. 19, 2025 grant with a target value of about $35 million that vests over three years. Cavanagh’s base salary was $2.6 million and his cash bonus about $8.6 million. Chairman and co-CEO Brian Roberts was paid $35.15 million in 2025, comprising a $2.6 million salary, $23.5 million in stock awards and an $8.58 million cash bonus; Roberts retains substantial voting control of the company. Comcast reported mixed 2025 results: shares fell about 20%, revenue was roughly flat, adjusted EPS rose ~30%, adjusted net income fell 6% and free cash flow jumped 53%. The company completed the spin-off of most cable networks into Versant Media Group and is refocusing on six growth businesses including broadband, Peacock, studios and theme parks.