U.S. Stock Futures Show Modest Gains#
U.S. stock index futures experienced a slight increase on Thursday evening after Wall Street closed lower during the regular trading session. Investors reacted positively to news regarding the extension of the ceasefire between Israel and Lebanon.
S&P 500 Futures rose by 0.2% to reach 7,160.0 points, while Nasdaq 100 Futures climbed 0.7% to 27,133.75 points. In contrast, Dow Jones Futures remained mostly unchanged at 49,486.0 points.
Ceasefire Extension Announced#
The uptick in futures followed President Donald Trump’s announcement that Israel and Lebanon had agreed to extend their ceasefire for an additional three weeks. Trump emphasized that the United States would assist Lebanon in protecting itself from Hezbollah, a militant group.
Earlier in the day, U.S. equities had closed lower, retreating from recent highs. Rising energy prices contributed to this decline, with the NASDAQ Composite leading the drop by nearly 1%. Both the S&P 500 and Dow Jones Industrial Average fell by 0.4% each.
Rising Oil Prices and Market Sentiment#
Oil prices surged past $100 per barrel amid ongoing conflict risks in the Strait of Hormuz. Reports of ship seizures and military activity highlighted the instability surrounding the ceasefire. Analysts from ING noted that while energy prices and interest rates are rising, the S&P 500 remains near record highs, allowing markets to remain relatively calm for now.
Strong Earnings Reports Boost Intel Shares#
In corporate news, market participants are closely watching the ongoing U.S. earnings season, which has thus far yielded better-than-expected results. Intel Corporation saw its shares soar over 20% in after-hours trading following the release of strong first-quarter earnings, driven by high demand for data center processors and artificial intelligence applications.
The company also provided a positive outlook, forecasting second-quarter revenue between $13.8 billion and $14.8 billion, surpassing analyst expectations. Investors are anticipating more earnings reports from companies like Procter & Gamble and Norfolk Southern before Friday’s market opening.