21.04.202620:30:10UTC+00US Stocks Close Slightly Lower for 2nd Session

Major U.S. stock indexes closed about 0.6% lower on Tuesday, as investors grew increasingly concerned that a peace agreement between the United States and Iran would not be reached before the current ceasefire expires on Wednesday. Sentiment worsened after Vice President JD Vance’s trip for talks in Tehran was put on hold amid what officials described as Iran’s lack of commitment.

After the closing bell, however, President Trump extended the U.S. ceasefire with Iran, saying the government in Tehran was “seriously fractured.” He added that the truce will remain in place until Iran’s leaders present a “unified proposal” to end the war.

In corporate news, shares of UnitedHealth Group rose more than 8% after the company’s first-quarter results exceeded Wall Street expectations and management raised its full-year earnings outlook. Amazon shares also advanced, gaining more than 1% after the company agreed to invest up to $25 billion in AI startup Anthropic.