25.03.202600:01:22UTC+00US Futures Rise on Mideast Optimism

US stock futures rose on Wednesday after reports that Washington was seeking negotiations with Iran to end the conflict. Dow and S&P 500 futures each advanced about 0.7%, while Nasdaq 100 futures gained 0.8%.

President Donald Trump said Iran had made a goodwill gesture in talks related to energy shipments through the Strait of Hormuz. Separately, the New York Times reported that the US had sent Iran a 15-point proposal aimed at resolving the dispute. These developments improved sentiment even as Trump ordered the deployment of roughly 2,000 additional troops to the region, with the administration weighing options to reduce Iran’s influence over the strategically vital chokepoint.

In regular trading on Tuesday, the Dow slipped 0.18%, the S&P 500 fell 0.38%, and the Nasdaq Composite declined 0.84%, as mixed signals from the Middle East kept tensions high. Investors are now focused on upcoming US export and import price data due Wednesday, as well as earnings reports from Chewy, Paychex, and other companies.