Untied States stock futures edged modestly higher on Monday night (Tuesday AEST) after the Nasdaq Composite snapped a 13-day winning streak, as investors continued to assess rising geopolitical tensions and the start of a busy earnings period.
By 9:55 am AEST (11:55 pm GMT), Dow Jones and Nasdaq 100 futures were both up 0.2%, while S&P 500 futures gained 0.1%.
The moves follow a weaker close on Wall Street overnight, where all three major indices finished in negative territory. The Dow Jones Industrial Average slipped 0.01%, the S&P 500 fell 0.2%, and the Nasdaq Composite declined 0.3%, ending its longest run of consecutive gains since 1992.
Market sentiment was weighed down by escalating tensions between Washington and Tehran over the weekend. U.S. President Donald Trump said the United States had struck and seized an Iranian-flagged cargo ship in the Gulf of Oman, following Iran’s indication that it would not participate in a new round of peace talks.
The current ceasefire between the two nations is set to expire later this week, adding to uncertainty.
Investors are also turning their attention to a heavy slate of corporate earnings due before Tuesday’s opening bell.
Companies scheduled to report include UnitedHealth Group, Danaher Corporation, GE Aerospace, 3M, Northrop Grumman, Halliburton, Quest Diagnostics, RTX Corporation, Tractor Supply Company and Genuine Parts Company.
Economic data will also be in focus, with March retail sales figures due for release, offering insight into how U.S. consumers are responding to rising energy prices.
Meanwhile, attention is on Federal Reserve chair nominee Kevin Warsh, who is set to face a confirmation hearing before the Senate Banking Committee. In prepared remarks released Monday, Warsh emphasised the importance of central bank independence while cautioning against policy overreach.
“The Fed must stay in its lane,” he said. “Fed independence is placed at greatest risk when it strays into fiscal and social policies where it has neither authority nor expertise.”
