United States stock futures moved higher on Tuesday night (Wednesday AEST) after President Donald Trump extended the ceasefire between the United States and Iran, providing some relief to investors following a weaker session on Wall Street.
By 10:15 am AEST (12:15 am GMT) Dow futures were up 0.4%, while S&P 500 futures and Nasdaq 100 futures gained 0.5% apiece.
In extended deals, Shares of United Airlines edged higher despite issuing weaker-than-expected guidance, as investors focused on the company’s stronger first-quarter performance.
The airline’s stock rose around 1% even after it lowered its outlook, citing rising fuel costs as a key headwind. United forecast full-year 2026 adjusted earnings in the range of $7 to $11 per share, down from its previous guidance of $12 to $14 per share.
In contrast, shares of Capital One Financial declined around 4% after the lender reported results that fell short of market expectations.
Capital One posted first-quarter earnings of $4.42 per share, excluding items, on revenue of $15.23 billion. The figures came in below expectations of $4.50 per share in earnings and $15.36 billion in revenue.
The gains came after all three major indices closed lower earlier in the session, as investors grew increasingly concerned that a peace agreement between Washington and Tehran would not be reached before the ceasefire deadline.
The Dow Jones Industrial Average, S&P 500, and the Nasdaq Composite dropped 0.6% apiece.
Sentiment improved after the market close as Trump announced an extension of the two-week ceasefire, citing internal divisions within Iran’s leadership.
“Based on the fact that the Government of Iran is seriously fractured, not unexpectedly so and, upon the request of Field Marshal Asim Munir, and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, of Pakistan, we have been asked to hold our Attack on the Country of Iran until such time as their leaders and representatives can come up with a unified proposal,” Trump said in a Truth Social post.
“I have therefore directed our Military to continue the Blockade and, in all other respects, remain ready and able, and will therefore extend the Ceasefire until such time as their proposal is submitted, and discussions are concluded, one way or the other,” he added.
Despite the extension, uncertainty surrounding negotiations remains elevated. Reports indicate that Vice President JD Vance has paused plans to travel for further peace talks due to a lack of engagement from Tehran.
Iranian state media reinforced the fragile outlook, amid reports that its negotiators viewed further discussions with the United States as a “waste of time”, casting doubt over the prospects for a near-term resolution.
Markets had rallied strongly in the previous week on optimism that tensions could ease. The S&P 500 and Nasdaq Composite both recorded multiple record highs, with the S&P 500 closing above the 7,100 level for the first time.
Attention now turns to the corporate earnings calendar, with several major U.S. companies scheduled to report ahead of Wednesday’s opening bell, including AT&T, Boeing, Boston Scientific, GE Vernova, CME Group and Moody’s.
