GoKawiilThis is CNBC's Morning Squawk newsletter. Subscribe here to receive future editions in your inbox. Happy Friday. Congratulations to the NFL's first-round draft picks. CNBC's Alex Sherman spoke to No. 1 pick Fernando Mendoza ahead of his big night. Stock futures are mixed this morning after a negative day for all three major indexes. Here are five key things investors need to know to start the trading day:
1. Brightness dimmed
ServiceNow Inc. signage on the floor at the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) in New York, US, on Monday, March 16, 2026. Michael Nagle | Bloomberg | Getty Images
2. Peace talks
U.S. President Donald Trump speaks in the Oval Office, with Vice President JD Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio standing behind him, at the White House in Washington, D.C., U.S., April 23, 2026. Kylie Cooper | Reuters
Crude oil prices are lower this morning amid reports that Iranian negotiators are heading to Pakistan, boosting investor hopes that U.S.-Iran peace talks might resume. An extended ceasefire between Israel and Lebanon announced yesterday is also adding to traders' optimism. President Donald Trump said Thursday that the two countries extended their ceasefire for three weeks following a meeting at the White House. Earlier in the day, Trump said he ordered the U.S. Navy "to shoot and kill any boat" laying mines in the Strait of Hormuz. As CNBC's Spencer Kimball writes, the U.S.-Iran war has evolved into a naval standoff over the strait, a key passageway for the world's oil trade.
3. Job search
People walk in front of Microsoft store in Manhattan on March 31, 2026, in New York City. Zamek | View Press | Corbis News | Getty Images
It wasn't just tech investors: Workers in the sector also had a rough day yesterday. Microsoft announced on Thursday that it is offering voluntary buyouts to about 7% of its U.S. employees — a first for the company. The plans follow multiple rounds of layoffs last year. Meanwhile, Big Tech peer Meta said it will cut about 8,000 employees, or 10% of its workforce, and terminate hiring plans for 6,000 open roles. Nike also said it was axing 1,400 roles yesterday — mostly its tech department — in its second round of layoffs this year.
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