US EQUITY OPEN: Stocks bid at open after US/Iran halt strikes over the weekend

OPEN: Stocks opened in the green on Monday, with sentiment supported by the pause in strikes between the US and Iran over the weekend amid several reports suggesting President Trump is weighing a diplomatic path. The Russell leads the gains, although strength is broad across US indices, with the majority of sectors trading higher. Communication Services, Financials and Consumer Discretionary outperform, while Energy is the sole sector in the red.Energy prices are tumbling on the weekend de-escalation, with Brent falling back below USD 90/bbl after breaching USD 100/bbl last week. However, geopolitical risks remain. The Saudi Defence Ministry announced it intercepted drones originating from Iraqi territory that attempted to target the Kingdom's oil facilities, while Ukraine struck an Iranian vessel in the Caspian Sea, prompting Tehran to vow a response. Separately, an oil tanker reportedly exploded after striking a mine in the Strait of Hormuz over the weekend. Therefore, while the pause in US-Iran strikes is a welcome sign, considerable geopolitical and energy-supply risks remain.In FX, the antipodeans outperform alongside the improvement in risk sentiment, while CAD lags as crude prices tumble. The Dollar is marginally softer against G10 peers. CHF is also under pressure following Bloomberg source reports suggesting the SNB is expected to keep rates unchanged through the end of 2027.Gold and silver are firmer as the sharp decline in oil prices eases inflation concerns and sees markets pare some hawkish global central-bank bets. Treasury yields are lower across the curve, with attention turning to the 2- and 5-year auctions today and 7-year supply on Tuesday, before Wednesday's FOMC decision.Elsewhere, US Durable Goods Orders missed expectations on the headline, although the underlying details were more encouraging. Core capital goods orders remained firm, shipments accelerated, and prior readings were revised higher, pointing to continued strength in business investment, supported by AI orders and also some company stockpiling.STOCK SPECIFICS NVIDIA (NVDA): Reportedly discussing a ~USD 250bln financing backstop for OpenAI’s planned 10GW Ohio data-centre project Baker Hughes (BKR): Adjusted EPS and revenue beat Rocket Lab (RKLB): Awarded USD 266mln US Space Force contract covering 12 suborbital launches Capricor Therapeutics (CAPR): Phase 3 HOPE-3 study failed to meet its primary and secondary efficacy endpoints Forte Biosciences (FBRX): argenx to acquire Forte Biosciences for USD 77/shr in cash D-Wave Quantum (QBTS): AT&T signed an agreement to expand its use of D-Wave's quantum computing technology Alphabet (GOOG): Upgraded at Phillip Securities to 'Buy' from 'Accumulate' Mobileye Global (MBLY) / Rivian Automotive (RIVN): Both upgraded at Piper Sandler to 'Overweight' from 'Neutral' ASML (ASML): China has started mass production of domestically developed DUV lithography equipment, marking a further advance for the country's domestic semiconductor manufacturing industry, The Information reported.