Stay Ahead: S&P 500 Futures Hold Steady as Key Inflation Data Looms; Traders Focus on Oil Prices and Iran Conflict – Live Updates

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Stay Ahead: S&P 500 Futures Hold Steady as Key Inflation Data Looms; Traders Focus on Oil Prices and Iran Conflict – Live Updates

Traders are gearing up as MDA Space Ltd begins trading on the New York Stock Exchange. The excitement comes amid rising oil prices influenced by ongoing tensions in Iran.

As of Thursday night, stock futures showed slight increases. The Dow Jones Industrial Average added about 73 points, nearly 0.2%. S&P 500 futures ticked up 0.1%, while Nasdaq 100 futures dipped by 0.05%. However, during Thursday’s market session, the three major averages faced declines, marking the lowest points for 2026. The Dow fell nearly 740 points, closing below 47,000 for the first time this year, while the S&P 500 slipped by 1.5%.

The recent surge in oil prices is alarming many investors. Following comments from Iran’s Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei about keeping the Strait of Hormuz closed as a pressure tool, West Texas Intermediate futures jumped nearly 10%, settling at $95.73 per barrel. Brent crude also rose over 9%, finishing above $100 for the first time since August 2022.

Chris Toomey, a managing director at Morgan Stanley, highlighted the market challenges. He pointed out the impact of rising energy costs, along with developments in artificial intelligence and private credit. In an interview, he expressed concern that extended closure of the Strait could become a significant problem for the market.

These rising oil prices and inflation fears are shaping investor expectations about interest rate cuts from the Federal Reserve. Upcoming data on personal consumption expenditures (PCE) will be closely watched. The Dow’s projected PCE gain is 0.3% month over month and 2.9% year over year, with core PCE expected to grow by 0.4% monthly and 3.1% annually.

The week is not looking great for the markets overall. The S&P 500 is on track for a 1% decline, while the Dow faces a 1.7% fall, and Nasdaq is down by 0.3%. Investors are anxiously observing trends, and social media is buzzing with reactions to the market’s volatility. Conversations about the implications of rising oil prices are prevalent, highlighting concerns over everyday costs and the broader economic picture.

For further insights on market trends and their implications, refer to recent economic reports from trusted sources like the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis and the Federal Reserve.



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