04:04 PM EDT, 06/16/2025 (MT Newswires) -- US benchmark equity indexes ended higher Monday as investor concerns eased amid signs that the Israel-Iran conflict may not escalate further.

* 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 push US President Donald Trump about pressuring Israel into an immediate ceasefire.

* The US central bank's Federal Open Market Committee is scheduled to kick off its two-day monetary policy meeting Tuesday. Markets widely expect the FOMC to again hold interest rates steady Wednesday, according to the CME FedWatch tool.

* "In his press conference, (Fed Chair Jerome Powell) is likely to stress that the committee is in no rush to cut rates further and will proceed patiently and carefully," Macquarie said in a note. "He is also likely to emphasize that should there be a substantial deterioration in the labor market, that the Fed is prepared to act."

* July West Texas Intermediate crude oil closed down $1.68 to settle at $71.30 per barrel, while August Brent crude, the global benchmark, was last seen down $1.38 to $72.85.

* Advanced Micro Devices ( AMD ) shares jumped 8.8% as Piper Sandler raised its price target on the stock to $140 from $125.

* Eaton (ETN) agreed to acquire UK-based Ultra PCS for $1.55 billion from Cobham Ultra Group to expand its aerospace portfolio. Eaton shares rose 4.4%.