Dow Jones futures rose by 0.14% to trade near 49,900 during European hours on Friday, ahead of the US market opening, following record closes on Wall Street the previous day. The S&P 500 futures increased by 0.12% to near 7,250, while Nasdaq 100 futures advanced 0.04% to around 27,600. These gains come after the S&P 500 and Nasdaq 100 reached fresh record highs and posted their strongest monthly gains since 2020 [1].
In Thursday's US regular trading session, the Dow Jones climbed 1.62%, the S&P 500 rose 1.02%, and the Nasdaq 100 gained 0.89%. The rally was attributed to robust corporate earnings and easing oil prices. After the market closed, Apple reported quarterly results that exceeded expectations, further boosting sentiment in the technology sector. Investors are now turning their attention to upcoming earnings reports from major companies including Chevron, Exxon Mobil, Colgate-Palmolive, Estée Lauder, and CBOE, scheduled for release on Friday [1].
Despite the positive market momentum, traders remain cautious due to ongoing US–Iran tensions. US President Donald Trump announced on Thursday that he would continue the naval blockade of Iranian ports, expressing concerns that the strategically important Strait of Hormuz may not reopen soon. Trump also criticized congressional efforts to limit his war powers, referencing a Senate proposal that was rejected earlier in the day. Meanwhile, Iran’s Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei stated that Iran would not relinquish its nuclear or missile capabilities and signaled that Tehran would maintain control over the Strait of Hormuz [1].
CONCLUSION
US stock futures are advancing on the back of strong corporate earnings and easing oil prices, with the Dow Jones, S&P 500, and Nasdaq 100 all posting significant gains and record closes. However, geopolitical tensions between the US and Iran are tempering market optimism, as traders remain alert to potential risks in the region.