Dow, S&P 500, and Nasdaq futures rise as easing geopolitical tensions and falling crude prices boost investor sentiment.
US stock futures advanced early Monday, with the Dow Jones Industrial Average gaining 0.5%, the S&P 500 rising 0.7%, and the Nasdaq 100 leading with a 1% increase. The gains followed President Trump’s remarks that negotiations with Iran were progressing, easing fears of further military escalation.
West Texas Intermediate crude futures dropped nearly 5% after a brief spike, extending last week’s 8.4% decline—the steepest since mid-April. Brent crude also fell over 4%, contributing to a broader pullback in energy prices. Despite the retreat, elevated oil costs continue to pressure expectations for Federal Reserve rate cuts.
Trading was suspended for the Memorial Day holiday, but futures remained higher despite reports of exchanges in the Strait of Hormuz. The US conducted self-defense strikes in southern Iran, while Iran’s Revolutionary Guard targeted US aircraft and drones.