Stock Futures Rise After U.S. Iran Strikes End as Oil Climbs and Global Markets Turn Volatile

Global markets reacted sharply on Thursday after U.S. officials confirmed that military strikes against Iran had been completed, even as tensions in the Gulf remained high. Early sentiment pointed to cautious optimism in equities, with stock futures edging higher despite lingering geopolitical risks and reports of hostile activity in the region.

In pre-market trading, U.S. stock futures moved upward, with S&P 500 futures gaining 0.72%, Nasdaq 100 futures rising 1.1%, and Dow Jones futures adding 0.64%. However, the positive momentum came against a fragile backdrop, as Asia-Pacific markets opened lower. South Korea’s Kospi led regional losses with a steep 4.1% drop, while Japan’s Nikkei 225 and Australia’s S&P/ASX 200 also declined.

Energy markets moved in the opposite direction, reflecting heightened uncertainty. West Texas Intermediate crude oil futures surged nearly 3% to around $92 per barrel as investors priced in potential supply disruptions tied to Middle East tensions. Meanwhile, corporate news added pressure to tech sentiment after Oracle shares plunged more than 11% in extended trading following plans to raise $20 billion for its artificial intelligence expansion.

The geopolitical situation remains fluid, with U.S. Central Command confirming additional “self-defense strikes” authorized by President Donald Trump. The escalating rhetoric, including warnings that Iran would “pay the price,” has kept investors on edge. On Wall Street, the previous trading session already reflected this anxiety, with the Dow falling more than 950 points and the Nasdaq and S&P 500 also posting sharp declines amid a tech-sector sell-off.

Looking ahead, investors are bracing for fresh economic data, including the U.S. producer price index and weekly jobless claims. Analysts expect inflation to have risen again in May, though at a slower pace than April. Market experts say investors are also rotating away from high-flying technology stocks into defensive sectors such as energy, healthcare, and financials as uncertainty continues to shape trading sentiment.

source: cnbc