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US futures rise on Iran peace plan report
United States stock futures moved higher on Tuesday night (Wednesday AEDT), supported by reports that Washington has presented Iran with a proposal aimed at ending the ongoing conflict in the Middle East. By 9:50 am AEDT (10:50 pm GMT), futures tracking the Dow Jones Industrial Average and the S&P 500 were both up 0.7%, while Nasdaq 100 futures advanced 0.8%. During Tuesday’s regular trading, U.S. benchmarks closed lower amid persistent geopolitical uncertainty and rising oil prices. The Dow Jones Industrial Average dropped 84.41 points, or 0.2%, the S&P 500 declined 0.4%, while the Nasdaq Composite fell 0.8%. Market sentiment improved overnight after comments from U.S. President Donald Trump, who said the United States is “in negotiations right now” with Iran. He added that Tehran is “talking sense” and indicated that it may be willing to reach a peace agreement. Further optimism was driven by a report from The New York Times, which stated that the United States has delivered a detailed peace proposal to Iran. According to the report, which cited two unnamed officials, the 15-point plan was conveyed via Pakistan. The development raised hopes that diplomatic efforts to resolve the conflict could gain traction,
Stock Markets
US markets retreat as oil surge resumes
Major United States benchmark averages edged lower on Tuesday (Wednesday AEDT), surrendering part of the previous session’s gains as oil prices resumed their upward trajectory and geopolitical tensions in the Middle East continued to unsettle investors. The Dow Jones Industrial Average slipped 84.4 points or 0.2% to 46,124.1, the S&P 500 declined 24.6 points or 0.4% to close at 6,556.4, while the Nasdaq Composite lost 184.9 points or 0.8% to finish at 21,761.9. President Trump stated on Tuesday that the United States is “in negotiations right now” with Iran, adding that “the other side, I can tell you, they’d like to make a deal”. His remarks followed a Truth Social post a day earlier in which he described discussions between the two nations as “very good and productive conversations regarding a complete and total resolution of our hostilities in the Middle East”. Those comments had lifted major indices by more than 1% in the prior session. However, Iranian state media denied that direct talks were taking place, fuelling uncertainty among market participants. Confusion over the status and effectiveness of diplomatic efforts has persisted, particularly as hostilities between Israel and Iran have continued. Reports
Stock Markets
US futures steady following relief rally
United States stock futures were little changed on Monday night (Tuesday AEDT) following a sharp relief rally on Wall Street, as investors assessed progress in the conflict between the United States and Iran. By 9:30 am AEDT (10:30 pm 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 Monday’s regular session, the Dow rose 1.4%, while the S&P 500 climbed 1.2% and the tech-heavy Nasdaq advanced 1.4%. The rally was triggered after Trump said in a Truth Social post that the United States and Iran had held “very good and productive conversations regarding a complete and total resolution of our hostilities in the Middle East”. Westpac economist Ryan Wells noted: "Headlines have been very choppy since, with many Iranian officials denying that negotiations are taking place while President Trump effectively doubles down on the claim, leaving markets to strike a balance between welcoming the tentative news of possible de-escalation while weighing the immense uncertainty still clouding this progress.” Oil markets also reflected easing tensions, with prices retreating sharply after recent spikes. West Texas Intermediate crude futures fell about 10.3%
Stock Markets
US benchmarks close higher amid Iran talk hopes
Major United States benchmark averages rallied on Monday (Tuesday AEDT), after President Donald Trump said the United States and Iran had held “productive” talks, raising hopes of a de-escalation in Middle East tensions. Investor sentiment improved after Trump announced a pause in planned strikes on Iranian power plants and energy infrastructure, with investors cheering the potential easing of conflict that had recently driven oil prices higher and heightened fears of a global recession. The Dow Jones Industrial Average climbed 631 points, or 1.4%, to close at 46,208.5. The S&P 500 rose 74.5 points, or 1.2%, to 6,581.0, while the Nasdaq Composite gained 299.2 points, or 1.4%, to finish at 21,946.8. Oil markets reacted swiftly to the developments, with West Texas Intermediate futures falling 10.28% to settle at US$88.13 per barrel, while Brent crude declined 10.92% to $99.94 a barrel. “I AM PLEASED TO REPORT THAT THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, AND THE COUNTRY OF IRAN, HAVE HAD, OVER THE LAST TWO DAYS, VERY GOOD AND PRODUCTIVE CONVERSATIONS REGARDING A COMPLETE AND TOTAL RESOLUTION OF OUR HOSTILITIES IN THE MIDDLE EAST,” Trump wrote on Truth Social. “BASED ON THE TENOR AND TONE OF THESE IN DEPTH, DETAILED, AND CONSTRUC
Stock Markets
US futures dip following Trump's Iran warning
United States stock futures edged lower on Sunday night (Monday AEDT), following a fourth consecutive week of declines on Wall Street, as escalating tensions between the United States and Iran weighed on investor sentiment. By 9:55 am AEDT (10:55 pm GMT), futures tied to the Dow Jones Industrial Average slipped 0.1%, while S&P 500 futures fell 0.2% and Nasdaq-100 futures declined 0.3%. The cautious tone comes as the conflict involving Iran entered its fourth week, with tensions escalating over the weekend. U.S. President Donald Trump issued a fresh warning, threatening potential strikes on Iranian power infrastructure if the Strait of Hormuz, a critical route for global oil shipments, is not reopened. Tehran responded by warning it would target U.S. infrastructure across the Gulf region, including energy and desalination facilities, should Washington proceed with military action. Investors are also turning their attention to upcoming economic data, with the S&P Global Flash U.S. purchasing managers' index (PMI) report due on Tuesday, which could provide further insight into business activity amid the current uncertainty. From a technical perspective, market participants are closely watching key support levels. Th

Stock Markets
US stocks slide as extended war fears hit markets
Major United States equity benchmarks fell sharply on Friday, capping a fourth consecutive week of losses, as escalating tensions in the Middle East and surging oil prices continued to weigh heavily on investor sentiment. The Dow Jones Industrial Average dropped 444.0 points, or 1%, to close at 45,577.5. The S&P 500 declined 100.0 points or 1.5% to 6,506.5, while the Nasdaq Composite slid 443.1 points or 2% to finish at 21,647.6. Markets were rattled by the ongoing conflict involving Iran and Israel, with no signs of de-escalation. The United States increased its military presence in the region, deploying an amphibious assault ship alongside thousands of additional Marines and sailors. The geopolitical backdrop worsened after continued exchanges of strikes between Iran and Israel, alongside fresh Iranian attacks targeting energy infrastructure in the Persian Gulf. Selling pressure intensified in afternoon trade following reports that Iraq had declared force majeure on all oilfields operated by foreign companies. The development triggered a sharp spike in crude prices, with Brent crude settling 3.3% higher at US$112.19 per barrel and West Texas Intermediate climbing 2.8% to $98.23 per barrel. Technology heavyweigh
Stock Markets
US futures edge higher as WTI crude eases
United States stock futures moved slightly higher on Thursday night (Friday AEDT), as comments from Benjamin Netanyahu helped ease some investor concerns surrounding the ongoing U.S.-Iran conflict. By 10 am AEDT (11 pm GMT), futures tied to the Dow Jones Industrial Average, S&P 500 and Nasdaq Composite were each up around 0.2%. The modest gains followed a negative session on Wall Street, where major indices closed lower but well above intraday lows. Sentiment improved after Netanyahu said Israel was assisting the United States “in intel and other means” to help reopen the Strait of Hormuz. He also stated that Iran had lost its ability to enrich uranium and produce ballistic missiles, adding that the conflict could conclude sooner than many investors expect. Oil markets reacted sharply to the remarks, with U.S. West Texas Intermediate crude futures falling 2%, providing some support to equities. Despite the pullback, WTI prices remain more than 48% higher for the month, reflecting ongoing supply concerns. Even with the late-session recovery, U.S. equities remain on track for a fourth consecutive weekly decline. The S&P 500 and Dow Jones Industrial Average are down 0.4% and 1.2% for the week, respectively, while
Stock Markets
Wall Street extends declines as rate cut bets recede
United States benchmark indices extended declines on Thursday (Friday AEDT), as investors weighed escalating geopolitical tensions in the Middle East alongside signals that interest rates may remain elevated for an extended period. The Dow Jones Industrial Average fell 0.4% to 46,021.4, and the S&P 500 declined 18.2 points, or 0.3%, to 6,606.5, both marking their lowest closing level since 21 November 2025. The Nasdaq Composite dropped 61.7 points, or 0.3%, to 22,090.7, its lowest level since 20 November. Energy markets were mixed, with U.S. West Texas Intermediate crude futures easing 0.2% to settle at US$96.14 per barrel. In contrast, Brent crude, the global benchmark, rose 1.2% to $108.65 per barrel, its highest close since July 2022. Oil market volatility comes as shipping through the Strait of Hormuz remains severely disrupted. In response, leaders from the United Kingdom, France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands and Japan said in a joint statement that they stand ready to support efforts to ensure safe passage through the critical energy corridor. Investor sentiment was further pressured by comments from Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell, who warned that the economic outlook remains uncertain amid the ongoing U.
Stock Markets
US futures slip after Dow hits 2026 low
United States stock futures edged lower on Wednesday night (Thursday AEDT) after the Dow Jones Industrial Average closed at a fresh low for 2026, as inflation concerns continued to weigh on investor sentiment. By 9:55 am AEDT (10:55 pm GMT), futures tied to the Dow, the S&P 500, and the Nasdaq 100 were each down around 0.3%. In extended deals, shares of Micron Technology fell 4.7% despite the memory chipmaker reporting a sharp increase in revenue, driven by a global supply shortage in memory components. The cautious tone follows a weak session on Wall Street, where the Dow dropped roughly 768 points, or 1.6%, to its lowest closing level of the year. The S&P 500 declined 1.4%, while the Nasdaq Composite slid 1.5%. Energy markets remained a key focus, with Brent crude climbing above $111 a barrel after settlement. Meanwhile, West Texas Intermediate crude futures briefly moved back above the $100 mark. Markets have come under pressure following a stronger-than-expected producer prices report and updated guidance from the Federal Reserve, which signalled heightened inflation expectations. The developments have reinforced concerns that the ongoing conflict involving Iran could push the U.S. economy towards a period of