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US futures steady as investors monitor M.East risks
United States stock futures were little changed on Monday night (Tuesday AEST), following a broad sell-off on Wall Street as investors assessed the risk of renewed escalation in the Middle East. By 10:30 am AEST (12:30 am GMT), futures tied to the Dow Jones Industrial Average, S&P 500, and Nasdaq 100 were trading within a narrow range of ±0.1%. In after-hours trading, Palantir shares fell 2.7% despite delivering better-than-expected first-quarter figures. The data analytics firm reported adjusted earnings per share of $0.33, ahead of forecasts of $0.28, while revenue of $1.63 billion also exceeded expectations of $1.54 billion. Paramount Skydance shares edged 1.2% higher after posting quarterly earnings per share of $0.23 on revenue of $7.35 billion, surpassing market expectations of $0.15 per share on $7.28 billion in revenue. Duolingo shares dropped about 13.6% after reporting weaker-than-expected user growth. The language-learning platform said monthly active users reached 137.8 million in the first quarter, falling short of analyst estimates of 145.6 million. Pinterest shares surged 15.5% after delivering stronger-than-expected results, with adjusted earnings of $0.27 per share and revenue of $1.01 billion, beat
Stock Markets
US markets retreat as oil surge rattles sentiment
Major United States benchmark averages closed lower on Monday (Tuesday AEST), with major indices retreating from recent record highs as rising oil prices and renewed geopolitical tensions in the Middle East unsettled investors. The Dow Jones Industrial Average fell 557.4 points, or 1.1%, to 48,941.9, while the S&P 500 declined 29.4 points, or 0.4%, to finish at 7,200.8. The Nasdaq Composite also edged lower, shedding 46.6 points, or 0.2%, to close at 25,067.8. Investor sentiment deteriorated following reports that a South Korean vessel was struck by an explosion in the Strait of Hormuz. The developments overshadowed otherwise supportive factors, including a strong U.S. first-quarter earnings season. Further escalating tensions, the United Arab Emirates said it had intercepted multiple missiles launched from Iran on Monday. Energy stocks outperformed amid the turmoil, as traders priced in the risk of prolonged supply disruptions. Oil markets reacted sharply, with U.S. West Texas Intermediate crude futures rising 4.4% to settle at $106.42 per barrel. Brent crude, the international benchmark, climbed 5.8% to $114.44 per barrel. In a Truth Social post on Sunday, U.S. President Donald Trump announced “Project Freedom”
Stock Markets
US futures rangebound; M.East developments in focus
United States stock futures traded in a tight range on Sunday night (Monday AEST) as investors monitored ongoing developments in the Middle East and assessed the outlook for markets following recent record highs. By 9:45 am AEST (11:45 pm GMT), futures linked to the Dow Jones Industrial Average and S&P 500 were each up 0.1%, while Nasdaq 100 futures were little changed. The muted moves followed a mixed session on Friday, when both the S&P 500 and Nasdaq Composite reached fresh all-time intraday and closing highs. The S&P 500 rose 0.2%, while the Nasdaq advanced 0.9%, supported by gains in technology stocks. In contrast, the Dow Jones Industrial Average slipped 0.3%. Investor attention remains focused on geopolitical developments after U.S. President Donald Trump announced a new initiative aimed at addressing disruptions in global shipping. In a post on Truth Social, Trump unveiled “Project Freedom”, outlining plans for the United States to assist cargo ships from neutral countries stranded due to the closure of the Strait of Hormuz. The effort is expected to begin on Monday. “I have told my Representatives to inform them that we will use best efforts to get their Ships and Crews safely out of the Strait,” Trump s
Stock Markets
US markets mixed amid earnings; Apple lifts tech
Major United States benchmark averages posted a mixed session on Friday, with the S&P 500 and Nasdaq Composite posting fresh record highs, supported by gains in technology stocks led by Apple, while oil prices eased at the start of a new trading month. The Dow Jones Industrial Average declined 152.87 points, or 0.31%, to 49,499.27. In contrast, the S&P 500 rose 21.11 points, or 0.29%, to finish at 7,230.12, while the Nasdaq Composite advanced 222.13 points, or 0.89%, to 25,114.44. Apple shares climbed 3.2% after the company issued a strong sales outlook, citing robust demand for its flagship iPhone 17 and MacBook Neo. The upbeat forecast helped lift broader technology stocks. Software companies also posted notable gains after Atlassian raised its full-year forecast, with its shares surging 29.6%. The positive sentiment extended to peers, with Salesforce rising 4.1% and ServiceNow gaining 3.2%. In contrast, Roblox tumbled 18.3% after cutting its annual bookings forecast, reflecting softer expectations for user spending. Meanwhile, Reddit jumped 13.1% following an optimistic quarterly revenue outlook. Energy stocks lagged as oil prices declined. Exxon Mobil fell 1% after reporting that quarterly profit was impacted
Stock Markets
US futures steady amid earnings; Reddit jumps 12.5%
United States stock futures traded largely flat on Thursday night (Friday AEST) following a strong session that saw the S&P 500 and Nasdaq Composite reach fresh intraday and closing highs, capping a robust performance for April. By 10:25 am AEST (12:25 am GMT), futures tied to the Dow Jones Industrial Average and S&P 500 were both up 0.1%, while Nasdaq 100 futures edged 0.04% higher. In extended trading, Apple shares rose 1.9% after the company reported fiscal second-quarter earnings per share (EPS) of $2.01 on revenue of $111.18 billion, surpassing expectations of $1.95 per share and $109.46 billion in revenue. Reddit surged 12.5% after reporting first-quarter daily active users of 126.8 million, slightly ahead of the StreetAccount consensus forecast of 125.9 million, as cited by CNBC. In contrast, Sandisk declined 6% despite posting stronger-than-expected fiscal third-quarter results. The memory company reported adjusted EPS of $23.41 and revenue of $5.95 billion, exceeding market expectations for $14.62 per share on $4.72 billion in revenue. However, the pullback follows a significant rally in the stock, which has gained more than 360% in 2026. Western Digital fell 8.1% even after delivering better-than-expected

Stock Markets
Wall Street renews record highs on earnings
United States benchmark indices rallied on Thursday (Friday AEST), with the S&P 500 and Nasdaq Composite closing at fresh record highs, as investors responded positively to strong corporate earnings and looked past geopolitical concerns surrounding tensions between the U.S. and Iran. The Dow Jones Industrial Average surged 790.3 points, or 1.6%, to close at 49,652.1. Meanwhile, the S&P 500 advanced 73.1 points, or 1%, to a record closing high of 7,209.0, and the Nasdaq Composite climbed 219.1 points, or 0.9%, also notching a fresh record finish at 24,892.3. Market sentiment was buoyed by a series of upbeat earnings releases, alongside economic data that reinforced the resilience of the U.S. economy. Data released during the session showed that U.S. gross domestic product (GDP) expanded by 2.0% in the first quarter of 2026. At the same time, initial jobless claims fell to their lowest level since 1969, amid continued strength in the labour market. However, persistently high energy prices kept year-on-year inflation above 3%, dampening expectations for imminent interest rate cuts by the Federal Reserve. The update comes as Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell approaches the end of his eight-year tenure, with policym
Stock Markets
US futures mixed as Big Tech earnings roll in
United States stock futures traded mixed on Wednesday night (Thursday AEST), as investors digested a wave of earnings from major technology companies while continuing to monitor elevated oil prices and the Federal Reserve’s latest policy decision. By 10 am AEST (12 am GMT), Dow Jones futures were down 0.3%, S&P 500 futures rose 0.3%, and Nasdaq 100 futures gained 0.7%. Alphabet shares surged around 7.1% after the company reported first-quarter revenue of $109.9 billion, exceeding the $106.96 billion expected, while earnings per share (EPS) came in at $5.11 versus $2.63 expected. Microsoft edged 0.3% higher after posting better-than-expected earnings and revenue for its fiscal third quarter, supported by continued strength in its cloud segment. Revenue from Azure and other cloud services rose 40%. Amazon shares climbed 2.7% after the company delivered first-quarter EPS of $2.78 on revenue of $181.52 billion, comfortably ahead of market expectations for $1.63 and $177.28 billion in revenue. In contrast, Meta Platforms fell 7% despite reporting a revenue beat, as investors focused on weaker-than-expected capital expenditure and user growth figures. First-quarter capital expenditure totalled $19.84 billion, below foreca
Stock Markets
US stocks mixed as Fed holds rates; earnings in focus
Wall Street finished in a mixed fashion during Wednesday's deals (Thursday AEST), as investors weighed surging oil prices, a closely watched Federal Reserve policy decision, and a wave of major corporate earnings released after the closing bell. The three major U.S. stock indices fluctuated throughout the session following the Federal Reserve’s announcement that it would hold interest rates steady. The decision revealed the most divided vote among policymakers since 1992, amid growing uncertainty around the economic outlook, particularly as energy prices climb amid escalating tensions in the Middle East. The Dow Jones Industrial Average recorded its fifth consecutive day of losses, falling 280.1 points, or 0.6%, to close at 48,861.8. The S&P 500 edged down 2.8 points, or 0.04%, to 7,136.0, while the Nasdaq Composite managed a modest gain of 9.4 points, or 0.04%, to finish at 24,673.24. Oil prices extended their rally, underpinning inflation concerns. Gains accelerated after The Wall Street Journal reported that U.S. President Donald Trump had instructed aides to prepare for a prolonged blockade of Iranian ports. Additional upward pressure followed an Axios report that the U.S. had rejected Iran’s proposal to reopen
Stock Markets
US futures edge higher ahead of tech earnings
United States stock futures edged higher on Tuesday night (Wednesday AEST) as investors positioned ahead of a pivotal round of earnings from major technology companies and the conclusion of the Federal Reserve’s latest policy meeting. By 10 am AEST (12 am GMT), Dow futures were up 0.2%, S&P futures rose 0.1%, and Nasdaq 100 futures gained 0.3%. In after-hours trading, Booking Holdings fell 4.2% after the travel technology group trimmed its full-year adjusted earnings per share growth outlook to the “low to mid-teens”, down from previous expectations in the “mid-teens”, citing lingering impacts from the Middle East conflict through the end of June. The company, however, reported first-quarter results that exceeded expectations on both revenue and profit. Robinhood shares dropped 9.3% after the trading platform posted weaker-than-expected first-quarter results. The company reported earnings per share (EPS) of $0.38 on revenue of $1.07 billion, missing forecasts of $0.39 per share and $1.14 billion in revenue. Starbucks rose nearly 5.6% after upgrading its full-year outlook. The coffee chain now expects global and U.S. same-store sales to increase by at least 5% in fiscal 2026, up from its previous forecast of 3%. I