(Il Sole 24 Ore Radiocor) - Milano, 21 apr - US futures were higher as investors reacted to mixed messages over prospects for US-Iran peace talks.

Wall Street ended lower yesterday as tensions rose in the Persian Gulf. The Dow was unchanged, the S&P 500 lost 0.2% while the tech-heavy Nasdaq shed 0.3% to snap 13 straight days of gains.

In comments yesterday, US president Donald Trump said it was unlikely Washington would extend a temporary ceasefire with Tehran, due to expire on Wednesday, without some kind of deal. But oil prices retreated on news both sides are sending negotiators to talks in Pakistan.

Iran's parliamentary speaker, Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, said today Iran did not accept negotiations 'under the shadow of threats', adding Tehran had 'new cards on the battlefield.' Elsewhere Trump's nominee for the chair of the Federal Reserve, Kevin Warsh, prepares to face the Senate later today for confirmation of his nomination. In prepared remarks, Warsh said bumpy relations between president Trump and the Fed could soon be on the mend.

On the stocks front, shares in Apple fell 0.3% in premarket trade after news Tim Cook is stepping down as CEO of the iPhone giant to be replaced by hardware engineering head John Ternus. UnitedHealth shares jumped 7.2% after the health insurance giant beat earnings expectations and raised guidance.

Futures on the Dow Jones were up 331.00 points, or 0.67%, S&P 500 futures were up 33.25 points, or 0.47%, while futures on.

the Nasdaq were up 144.00 points, or 0.54%.

(RADIOCOR) 21-04-26 14:09:51 (0459) 5 NNNN