(Il Sole 24 Ore Radiocor) - Milano, 24 apr - US shares were trading mixed as AI stocks continued to over perform the broader market, boosted by earnings from Intel. Markets also reacted to news that the US Department of Justice was dropping its probe into Federal Reserve chair Jerome Powell and signs that peace talks between the US and Iran might be close to resuming following the extension of the Israel-Lebanon truce.

According to the White House, Jared Kushner and Steve Witkoff, two of the United States' lead negotiators in peace talks with Iran, will head to Pakistan over the weekend.

In the meantime, the Department of Justice dropped its criminal probe into Powell, removing a major hurdle in the confirmation of US president Donald Trump's nomination Kevin Warsh to replace him.

Intel shares were up 21.25% after the company posted a strong outlook and first quarter profit beat. The move benefitted AI-stocks and the broader tech sector, boosting the tech-heavy Nasdaq.

Investors also digested data showing that US consumer sentiment fell to 49.8 in April from 53.3 in March, according to final data from the University of Michigan. Expectations were however for a fall to 46.1.

At 1732 GMT, the Dow Jones was losing 151.08 points, or 0.31%, at 49,159.24 points.

The S&P 500 was 44.68 points, or 0.63%, higher at 7,153.08 points.

The Nasdaq was gaining 333.20 points, or 1.36%, at 24,772.19.

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(RADIOCOR) 24-04-26 19:35:59 (0668) 5 NNNN