Key global financial news from overnight and this morning includes:

1. Trump Expresses Optimism on Iran Deal, Announces 10-Day Israel-Lebanon Ceasefire Former US President Donald Trump stated that prospects for a deal with Iran "look very good," with discussions ongoing to extend a truce agreement. Speaking to reporters at the White House on Thursday, Trump indicated a high likelihood of reaching a favorable agreement with Iran, suggesting negotiations could resume this weekend. He claimed Iran had conceded to long-standing demands, including abandoning nuclear ambitions and surrendering nuclear materials, though no evidence was provided. The proposed deal would also involve "free oil" and reopening the Strait of Hormuz. Tehran has not publicly confirmed these concessions. Trump's expectations for a swift agreement contrast with views from some Gulf and European leaders, who anticipate a peace deal could take approximately six months to finalize.

2. Gulf and European Officials Estimate Six Months Needed for US-Iran Talks, Call for Extended Truce According to informed officials, leaders from some Gulf Arab states and Europe believe a US-Iran peace agreement may require about six months to negotiate, urging warring parties to extend the ceasefire accordingly. These officials emphasized the immediate need to reopen the Strait of Hormuz to restore energy flows, warning privately of potential global food crises if the strait remains closed by next month. They also noted that prolonged conflict could drive energy prices higher. Following these reports, Brent crude extended gains, rising about 4.5% to surpass $99 per barrel. The officials stated that Gulf nations believe Iran remains intent on developing nuclear weapons, a stance unchanged by recent US-Israeli airstrikes, and thus any peace deal should prohibit uranium enrichment and long-range ballistic missile possession.

3. Netflix Q1 Profit Beats Estimates, but Weak Q2 Guidance Sparks 8% After-Hours Drop Netflix reported better-than-expected first-quarter profit after raising subscription prices, though its stock fell 8% in after-hours trading due to disappointing second-quarter forecasts. The company also announced that co-founder Reed Hastings plans to step down from the board in June upon completing his term. Financial data showed Q1 revenue of $12.25 billion, exceeding expectations of $12.17 billion and up from $10.54 billion a year earlier. Adjusted earnings per share were $1.23, significantly higher than the anticipated $0.76 and up from $0.66 year-over-year. Netflix had implemented a 10-for-1 stock split in mid-November. However, the company's Q2 revenue and profit projections fell short of market expectations, with revenue guidance of $12.57 billion below Wall Street's $12.64 billion estimate, EPS forecast of $0.78 missing the $0.84 consensus, and operating profit expectation of $4.11 billion well below the projected $4.34 billion.

4. OpenAI Upgrades Codex to Compete with Claude Code, Intensifying AI Programming Tool Competition OpenAI announced a comprehensive upgrade to its automated programming tool Codex, introducing multiple new features designed to significantly expand its capabilities. The company revealed numerous enhancements on Thursday, most notably that Codex can now run in the background on computers—able to open any desktop application and perform operations through simulated mouse clicks and keyboard inputs. In a blog post, OpenAI stated the update enables Codex to deploy multiple intelligent agents that can "run in parallel on a user's Mac device without interfering with operations in other applications." This background operation allows users to continue normal computer use while agents perform tasks. The company described these agents as programming assistants that handle auxiliary work while users focus on core projects, with potential applications including front-end iterative modifications, application testing, and operating within applications lacking open API interfaces.

5. Brent Crude Approaches $100 as US-Iran Talks Remain Uncertain and Strait of Hormuz Stays Blocked Oil prices neared $100 per barrel on Thursday as tanker traffic through the Strait of Hormuz remained restricted. President Donald Trump told reporters that the US and Iran are "very likely" to hold new talks over the weekend, though no formal date has been set. The two-week US-Iran ceasefire is set to expire on April 21 (Tuesday). Crude prices advanced again toward the $100 mark as shipping volumes through the critical waterway remained extremely low, with uncertainty surrounding its full reopening. The international benchmark Brent crude contract for June delivery surged nearly 5% to close at $99.39 per barrel, while West Texas Intermediate for May delivery rose almost 4% to settle at $94.69.

6. US Reports 14 Vessels Turned Away Rather Than Attempting to Breach Iran Blockade US Central Command stated that 14 vessels have turned around within three days rather than testing the maritime blockade imposed on ships associated with Iran transiting the Strait of Hormuz. "US forces remain focused, vigilant, and morale is high while executing blockade operations against vessels attempting to enter or depart Iranian ports," Central Command posted on social media Thursday. Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Dan Cain previously detailed the pressure campaign against Iran at a briefing, noting that 13 vessels had chosen to reverse course. Cain told reporters the US would enforce the blockade "within Iranian territorial waters and international waters," adding that no boarding actions have been necessary thus far.