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US futures steady after Iran war losses erased
United States. stock futures were little changed on Monday night (Tuesday AEST) after a strong rally on Wall Street erased losses tied to the Iran conflict, as investors remained cautiously optimistic about a potential diplomatic resolution. Futures linked to the Dow Jones Industrial Average were flat by 8:50 am AEST (10:50 pm GMT), while S&P 500 futures edged 0.1% higher and Nasdaq-100 futures rose 0.2%. The muted moves followed a resilient session for U.S. equities, with major indices posting solid gains despite the collapse of peace talks between the United States and Iran over the weekend. Market participants appeared to look beyond the immediate setback, focusing instead on the possibility that negotiations could still yield an agreement. President Donald Trump reinforced that sentiment on Monday, stating, “We’ve been called by the other side.” He added: “They’d like to make a deal very badly.” Monday’s rally marked a turning point for markets, with the S&P 500 fully recovering losses recorded since the onset of the Iran war. Investors also shrugged off a rise in energy prices. West Texas Intermediate crude futures climbed 2.6% to settle at $99.08 per barrel, while Brent crude advanced more than 4% to $99.36
Stock Markets
BlackRock turns bullish on US stocks amid M.East war
The world's largest asset manager BlackRock has upgraded United States equities to “overweight”, arguing resilient corporate earnings - particularly in technology - will limit the economic fallout from the Middle East war and support further gains in global markets. In a weekly note published by the BlackRock Investment Institute, strategists said the expected damage to global growth from the conflict was “likely contained”, prompting a shift from a neutral stance adopted earlier this year as geopolitical risks escalated. The upgrade aligns the asset manager with other Wall Street banks that have turned more constructive on equities despite ongoing tensions. The call rests on two developments identified by BlackRock: early signs of stabilisation in energy markets, including resumed flows through the Strait of Hormuz, and evidence that macroeconomic impacts remain limited. The firm also cited a fragile ceasefire and renewed diplomatic contact between Washington and Tehran as reducing the probability of sustained escalation. Markets have responded to the shifting outlook. The S&P 500 has risen 8% from a seven-month low in late March, when fears of supply disruption and a spike in oil prices weighed on sentiment.
Stock Markets
US markets gain amid renewed US-Iran deal hopes
United States equities advanced on Monday (Tuesday AEST) as investors grew optimistic that a diplomatic agreement between the U.S. and Iran could still be reached, even as geopolitical tensions remained elevated. The Dow Jones Industrial Average climbed 301.7 points or 0.6% to close at 48,218.3. The S&P 500 rose 69.4 points or 1% to 6,886.2, while the Nasdaq Composite outperformed with a gain of 280.8 points or 1.2%, to finish at 23,183.7. Markets extended gains after President Donald Trump signalled renewed communication between the two sides. “We’ve been called by the other side,” Trump said. “They’d like to make a deal very badly.” The comments came shortly after the U.S. implemented a blockade of the Strait of Hormuz, following the collapse of weekend peace talks in Islamabad that failed to produce a breakthrough. The blockade, which took effect on Monday, restricts maritime traffic to and from Iranian ports, although U.S. Central Command clarified that vessels transiting the strait to non-Iranian destinations would not be impeded. The breakdown in negotiations reignited concerns that the conflict could be prolonged, with implications for global energy markets and economic stability. Oil prices moved higher i
Stock Markets
US futures slump; Strait of Hormuz blockade in focus
United States stock futures dropped on Sunday night (Monday AEST) after Donald Trump announced a naval blockade of the Strait of Hormuz, following the collapse of weekend peace talks between Washington and Tehran. By 10:10 am AEST (12:10 am GMT), futures tied to the Dow Jones Industrial Average and the S&P 500 were both down around 1%, while Nasdaq 100 futures fell 1.2%, pointing to a weaker open for Wall Street. “Effective immediately, the United States Navy, the Finest in the World, will begin the process of BLOCKADING any and all Ships trying to enter, or leave, the Strait of Hormuz,” Trump said in a Truth Social post. “The Blockade will begin shortly. Other Countries will be involved with this Blockade. Iran will not be allowed to profit off this Illegal Act of EXTORTION.” The announcement came after negotiations in Islamabad broke down, fuelling concerns that the U.S.-Iran conflict could escalate further and prolong disruptions to global energy markets. U.S. Vice President JD Vance confirmed that talks ended without agreement, citing Iran’s refusal to halt its pursuit of nuclear weapons. However, broader disagreements remain, including Tehran’s demands for control over the Strait of Hormuz, war reparations,
Stock Markets
US stocks mixed amid ceasefire tensions
United States equity markets closed in mixed territory on Friday (Saturday AEST), as investors weighed geopolitical tensions surrounding the fragile ceasefire between the United States and Iran alongside fresh inflation data and the upcoming earnings season. The Dow Jones Industrial Average fell 269.2 points or 0.6%, to 47,916.6, the S&P 500 slipped 7.8 points or 0.1%, to 6,816.9, while the Nasdaq Composite outperformed, rising 80.5 points or 0.4% to finish at 22,902.9. Despite the subdued finish, all three major indices posted strong gains for the week. The Dow rose 3% over the period, the S&P 500 advanced 3.6%, while the Nasdaq climbed around 4.7%, supported by strength in technology stocks. Market sentiment remained sensitive to developments in the Middle East. U.S. President Donald Trump on Friday accused Iran of “short term extortion of the World by using International Waterways,” adding in a Truth Social post that Iranian leaders “don’t seem to realize they have no cards” and that “the only reason they are alive today is to negotiate!” Diplomatic efforts to resolve the conflict faltered over the weekend. Speaking from Pakistan, Vice President JD Vance confirmed that U.S. officials had withdrawn from negotiations

Stock Markets
US futures tick lower; ceasefire remains fragile
United States stock futures edged lower on Thursday night (Friday AEST) as investors remained cautious over the durability of a fragile ceasefire between the United States and Iran. By 10 am AEST (12 am GMT), futures tied to the Dow Jones Industrial Average, S&P 500 and Nasdaq 100 were each down 0.1%. Wall Street had extended its gains in the previous session after Donald Trump agreed to pause military action against Iran for two weeks, fuelling optimism that tensions in the Middle East could ease. The Dow and S&P 500 climbed 0.6% apiece, while the Nasdaq Composite advanced 0.8%. Market sentiment was also supported after Benjamin Netanyahu said Israel would begin negotiations with Lebanon “as soon as possible”, helping oil prices retreat from intraday highs and supporting equities. However, geopolitical risks remain elevated. Iran’s parliamentary speaker, Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, said Israel’s continued strikes on Lebanon constituted a breach of the ceasefire agreement. Equities had surged earlier in the week following the initial ceasefire announcement, with all three major indexes rising more than 2% and the Dow posting its strongest session since April 2025. Despite the slight pullback in futures, major U.
Stock Markets
US stocks extend gains on ceasefire hopes
United States equities extended their relief rally on Thursday (Friday AEST) as investors remained hopeful that a fragile ceasefire between the United States and Iran would hold, even as oil prices continued to climb. The Dow Jones Industrial Average rose 275.9 points, or 0.6%, to close at 48,185.8, while the S&P 500 gained 41.9 points, also 0.6%, to finish at 6,824.7. The tech-heavy Nasdaq Composite outperformed, advancing 187.4 points, or 0.8%, to settle at 22,822.4. Market sentiment remained supported by optimism that the two-week ceasefire agreement could be sustained following five weeks of conflict that disrupted global energy flows and led to the closure of the strategically critical Strait of Hormuz. Oil prices moved higher during the session, reflecting ongoing supply concerns. West Texas Intermediate crude futures rose more than 3% to settle at US$97.87 per barrel after briefly surpassing the $100 mark, while Brent crude futures climbed over 1% to close at $95.92. Equities pared some volatility after Benjamin Netanyahu said Israel had agreed to open direct negotiations with Lebanon, signalling a potential easing of regional tensions. Earlier, Iran’s parliamentary speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf accused Is
Stock Markets
US futures tick lower after ceasefire-driven rally
United States stock futures edged lower on Wednesday night (Thursday AEST) following a sharp rally in the previous session, as investors assessed the durability of a ceasefire agreement between Washington and Tehran. By 10:15 am AEST (12:15 am GMT), futures tied to the Dow Jones Industrial Average and S&P 500 were down 0.2% each, while Nasdaq-100 futures declined 0.3%. The modest pullback followed a strong performance during the regular trading session, when equities surged on easing geopolitical tensions. The S&P 500 rose 2.5%, while the Nasdaq Composite advanced 2.8%. The Dow Jones Industrial Average jumped more than 1,300 points, or 2.9%, marking its best session since April 2025. The rally was driven by an announcement from U.S. President Donald Trump, who said he would suspend military action against Iran for two weeks, raising hopes of de-escalation in a conflict that has disrupted global energy markets. “I agree to suspend the bombing and attack of Iran for a period of two weeks,” Trump wrote in a Truth Social post. “We received a 10-point proposal from Iran, and believe it is a workable basis on which to negotiate.” The proposed ceasefire, described as “double sided”, was conditional on Iran reopening the
Stock Markets
US markets surge as oil plunges on ceasefire
United States equity markets rallied strongly on Wednesday (Thursday AEST) after United States President Donald Trump announced a two-week suspension of military action against Iran, easing geopolitical tensions and sending oil prices sharply lower. The Dow Jones Industrial Average surged 1,325.5 points, or 2.9%, to close at 47,909.9, marking its strongest daily gain since April 2025. The S&P 500 advanced 166.0 points, or 2.5%, to 6,782.8, while the Nasdaq Composite jumped 617.2 points, or 2.8%, to 22,635.0. The rally followed confirmation that Washington and Tehran had agreed to pause hostilities after a five-week conflict that had disrupted energy flows through the Strait of Hormuz, a critical artery for global oil shipments. Oil prices recorded steep losses as supply concerns eased. West Texas Intermediate crude futures plunged more than 16% to settle at US$94.41 per barrel, marking their largest daily drop since April 2020. Meanwhile, Brent crude fell around 13% to $94.75 per barrel. “I agree to suspend the bombing and attack of Iran for a period of two weeks,” Trump said in a post on Truth Social. “We received a 10-point proposal from Iran, and believe it is a workable basis on which to negotiate.” The ceasefir