Finance

Stock futures little changed as Middle East tensions weigh on markets

Stock futures were little changed Monday night after major averages tumbled on escalating Middle East tensions. The Dow fell 557.37 points, or 1.13%, the S&P 500 declined 0.41%, and the Nasdaq Composite slipped 0.19%, underscoring a cautious start to the week. By around 6 p.m. ET, futures on the Dow, S&P 500 and Nasdaq were near flatline as investors weighed energy moves and a slate of earnings.

Stock futures little changed as Middle East tensions weigh on markets

Key Takeaways

  • Dow fell 557.37 points (-1.13%), S&P 500 -0.41%, Nasdaq -0.19% on Monday
  • Futures around flatline at around 6 p.m. ET
  • WTI crude at $105.39 per barrel, down 1%
  • Earnings due before Tuesday's opening bell include Pfizer, DuPont, PayPal, HSBC, Anheuser-Busch InBev, Marathon Petroleum, Duke Energy and Shopify
  • Upcoming data: U.S. trade deficit and JOLTS

People Involved

  • Adm. Brad Cooper U.S. Navy Admiral
  • Dan Skelly Morgan Stanley Wealth Management Analyst

Entities Involved

  • Pfizer Inc. (PFE) Pharmaceutical company
  • DuPont (DD) Chemicals company
  • PayPal Holdings, Inc. (PYPL) Payments tech company
  • HSBC Holdings plc (HSBC) Banking and financial services
  • Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV (BUD) Beverages and brewing
  • Marathon Petroleum Corporation (MPC) Energy and refining
  • Duke Energy Corporation (DUK) Utility
  • Shopify Inc. (SHOP) E-commerce platform

MarketMoodz Analysis

Geopolitics are injecting near-term volatility into energy and defensives, forcing portfolio managers to reassess risk exposure to energy prices and supply-chain disruption. Expect potential sector rotation toward energy, materials, or defense names as headlines evolve.

Historically, similar Middle East flare-ups have produced sharp drawdowns followed by recoveries, a pattern investors have learned to price in amid ongoing themes like AI, economic data, and earnings. Dan Skelly’s take—markets often absorb geopolitics as a pop-up narrative within a longer AI/economy/earnings cycle—highlights the need for hedging and selective exposure.

Watch for early earnings guidance and key economic data (trade deficit, JOLTS) to shape global demand and inflation expectations, and for oil-market developments tied to the Hormuz corridor and potential supply disruptions.

Get AI-Powered Market Insights

Stay ahead of market-moving events with our real-time analysis and stock ratings.

Start Your Free Trial