Stock futures hold steady after the S&P 500 and Nasdaq hit record highs.
U.S. stock futures were largely unchanged early Thursday after both the S&P 500 and Nasdaq Composite reached fresh record highs in the previous session.
S&P 500 futures edged up 0.15%, while Nasdaq 100 futures gained 0.29%. Futures linked to the Dow Jones Industrial Average rose by 48 points, or 0.1%.
During the regular session, the S&P 500 climbed 0.80% and the Nasdaq Composite surged 1.59%, marking its 11th consecutive gain and closing at new all-time highs. In contrast, the Dow Jones Industrial Average slipped 72.27 points, or 0.15%.
Markets have been supported in recent days by growing optimism over a potential U.S.-Iran peace agreement. President Donald Trump said in a Fox Business interview on Wednesday that the conflict is “very close to over,” reiterating that Iran is eager to strike a deal.
Reports suggest a second round of talks between Washington and Tehran is being considered, though no official schedule has been confirmed.
Earlier this week, the S&P 500 erased all losses incurred since the start of the Iran conflict. However, some analysts urge caution, warning that investors may be rushing back into the rally too quickly and questioning whether the momentum can sustain and broaden.
On the earnings front, companies including PepsiCo, Travelers, U.S. Bancorp, Abbott Laboratories, and Charles Schwab are set to release results before Thursday’s opening bell. Investors will also keep an eye on key economic data, including weekly jobless claims, as well as March figures for capacity utilization and industrial production.
Futures paused as investors assessed whether the recent rally can continue, especially after strong gains and record closes in the S&P 500 and Nasdaq.
Optimism around a potential U.S.-Iran peace deal, strong momentum in tech stocks, and improving investor sentiment have supported the market.
The Dow is more weighted toward industrial and value stocks, which underperformed compared to tech-heavy sectors that lifted the Nasdaq and S&P 500.
Markets are focused on upcoming earnings reports, weekly jobless claims, and economic data like industrial production and capacity utilization.
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