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Markets Rebound as U.S. Ceasefire Proposal to Iran Sparks Investor Optimism

  U.S. stock futures surged early Wednesday as reports of a U.S.-backed ceasefire proposal to Iran boosted market sentiment and pushed oil prices sharply lower. Investors reacted positively to signs of potential de‑escalation in the Middle East, lifting Dow, S&P 500, and Nasdaq futures after a volatile week. U.S. stock futures climbed on Wednesday following reports that Washington sent Iran a 15‑point ceasefire plan aimed at halting the ongoing conflict in the Middle East. The development injected cautious optimism into global markets, which have been rattled by geopolitical tensions in recent weeks.  Futures tied to the Dow Jones Industrial Average and S&P 500 rose around 1% , while Nasdaq 100 futures jumped more than 1% , reversing some of the previous session’s losses. The shift in sentiment was amplified by a sharp retreat in oil prices— WTI crude fell over 5% , easing inflation concerns and improving the outlook for corporate margins.  The reported ceasef...

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US Futures Stall After Record-Setting Rally

 


US stock futures wobbled on Friday, losing steam after a record-setting rally and blowout month as the relief sparked by an influential inflation reading ebbed. The S&P 500 futures were little changed, coming off the benchmark’s record close and best February in almost a decade. Futures on the Dow Jones Industrial Average and the tech-heavy Nasdaq 100 also wavered around the flatline.

Stocks are kicking off March in a subdued mood, a shift from the upbeat reaction to PCE data that showed inflation continued to cool — easing worries the Federal Reserve would get more reason to hold off from interest-rate cuts. But further scrutiny has highlighted signs of “sticky” inflation that will be harder to shift.

Among big movers, shares in New York Community Bancorp (NYCB) tumbled 20% in premarket after the exit of its CEO, a $2.7 billion quarterly loss, and findings of “material weaknesses” in the bank’s loan processes. Meanwhile, Dell (DELL) shares rose almost 25% in the wake of a quarterly sales and profit beat fueled by AI prospects for its servers. Developments at OpenAI caught the attention of investors tracking the sector. Elon Musk has sued the Microsoft-backed company and its CEO Sam Altman, among others, over a breach of contract. Also, the ChatGPT maker is reportedly set to name new board members in March to end an impasse linked to Altman’s abrupt firing last year.

In summary, the market’s exuberance has tempered, and investors are closely watching inflation trends and corporate developments. As we navigate March, the delicate balance between economic indicators and market sentiment remains crucial.


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