04:28 PM EDT, 06/16/2025 (MT Newswires) -- US benchmark equity indexes closed higher Monday amid optimism over a potential de-escalation in the Israel-Iran conflict, which continues into a fourth day.

The Nasdaq was up 1.5% to 19,701.21, while the S&P 500 increased 0.9% to 6,033.11. The Dow Jones Industrial Average gained 0.8% to 42,515.09. Among sectors, communications paced the gainers while utilities led the decliners.

US Treasury yields were higher, with the 10-year rate increasing 5 basis points to 4.46% and the two-year rate gaining 1.9 basis points to 3.98%.

August West Texas Intermediate crude oil declined 2.1% to $69.80 a barrel on Monday.

Both Israel and Iran have widened their attacks on the fourth day of conflict.

Iran has signaled through Arab intermediaries that it would be open to resuming negotiations over its nuclear programs as long as the US doesn't join Israel in the attacks, The Wall Street Journal reported.

Separately, Reuters reported, citing sources, that Iran has asked certain Gulf countries, including Saudi Arabia, to urge US President Donald Trump to pressure Israel for an immediate ceasefire.

In economic news, the New York Federal Reserve's Empire State manufacturing index fell to minus 16.0 in June from minus 9.2 in May. A survey compiled by Bloomberg expected an increase to minus 6.3.

The new orders, shipments, and prices paid readings all decreased in the month, while the employment reading increased and now stands above the breakeven point.

In company news, Estee Lauder ( EL ) shares were up 10%, the top gainer on the S&P 500. The company said Sunday that Chairman Emeritus Leonard Lauder died. He was 92.

Advanced Micro Devices ( AMD ) shares were up 8.8%, the second-top gainer on the S&P 500. Piper Sandler raised its price target on the stock to $140 from $125. The company's GPU business is expected to see "a snapback" in Q4 after it works its way through most of the China-related charges, analyst Harsh Kumar said in a note.

WeRide ( WRD ) shares climbed 4% and Uber ( UBER ) rose 1.4% after WeRide ( WRD ) signed a memorandum of understanding with Uber ( UBER ) and Dubai's Roads and Transport Authority to roll out pilot phases of autonomous vehicles later in 2025 via Uber's ( UBER ) app in Dubai.

Northrop Grumman ( NOC ) shares fell 3.8%. The company said in a filing on Friday that CEO Kathy Warden sold shares worth $5.6 million on June 12.

Gold decreased 1.4% to $3,403.30 per troy ounce, while silver was up 0.1% to $36.38 per troy ounce.