Late Thursday, U.S. stock futures slipped and oil prices remained elevated. Meanwhile, President Donald Trump signaled openness to direct talks with Iran’s leadership.
Stock Futures Slide As Investors Assess Geopolitical Risks
Dow futures fell 62 points, or 0.12%, to 51,609.00, while S&P 500 futures slipped 43.25 points, or 0.57%, to 7,557.75 and Nasdaq 100 futures declined 347 points, or 1.14%, to 30,141.25 as of around 8:56 p.m. EDT.
In commodities, WTI crude oil slipped 0.38% to $92.69 per barrel, while Brent crude edged lower 0.05% to $94.98 per barrel. Natural gas futures rose 0.30% to $3.346 per MMBtu.
Meanwhile, the U.S. dollar index stood at 99.417, down 0.01%.
Asian markets traded lower, with South Korea’s KOSPI falling 5.77% to 8,140.98 and Japan’s Nikkei 225 declining 1.91% to 66,184.42.
Trump Opens Door To Iran Talks Amid Ongoing Conflict
Speaking to reporters in the Oval Office following an announcement related to coal policy, Trump said he would consider meeting Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei if diplomatic progress is made, CNBC reported.
“If we make a deal, it’s possible that I would meet,” Trump said. “I’d be okay with that.”
The remarks come as the U.S.-Iran conflict enters its fourth month, with negotiations producing mixed signals despite weeks of a fragile ceasefire.
Trump also suggested confidence in negotiations, saying Khamenei would likely act as a “professional,” adding, “In some circles, he has a very good reputation, actually.”
Strait Of Hormuz Remains A Major Market Concern
Investors remain focused on the Strait of Hormuz, a critical shipping route responsible for transporting roughly one-fifth of the world’s oil supply.
The U.S. continues to push for guarantees that Iran will not pursue nuclear weapons and wants the waterway reopened, while Iranian officials have demanded an end to hostilities and the removal of naval restrictions.
Disclaimer: This content was partially produced with the help of AI tools and was reviewed and published by Benzinga editors.
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