(Il Sole 24 Ore Radiocor) - Milano, 22 mag - US shares opened higher leaving the main indexes on course for more weekly gains as hopes of a breakthrough in US-Iran talks buoyed sentiment.

As the earnings season draws to a close, continued optimism over AI and emerging technology has helped lift market sentiment, putting the S&P 500 on track for its eighth straight week of gains and the Nasdaq its seventh from eight.

Gains however remain capped by uncertainty in the Gulf where conflicting signals on the state of talks between Washington and Tehran have kept traders on edge.

But yesterday secretary of state Marco Rubio and Iranian media pointed to progress on a possible peace deal. A report on Saudi Arabia TV today said a draft peace treaty between the two sides was ready with a possible announcement in the coming hours.

Oil prices were steady with the Brent contract at around 103 dollars per barrel.

On the stocks front, shares in IMAX were up 12% in early trade after reports the premium theater company is exploring a sale.

Just after the opening bell the Dow Jones was up 148.99 points, or 0.30%, at 50,434.65 points, the S&P 500 was up 23.10 points, or 0.31%, at 7,468.82, while the Nasdaq was up.

96.06 points, or 0.7%, at 26,389.16.

(RADIOCOR) 22-05-26 15:43:38 (0505) 5 NNNN