FactSet U.S. Daily Market Preview

US equity futures are modestly lower. Asian markets ended mostly higher with strength in tech-led benchmarks, and European equities are also firmer. Markets are trading cautiously with focus on the Middle East, as concerns over the durability of the ceasefire persist despite ongoing diplomatic efforts. Developments around potential talks and continued military activity are keeping sentiment in check, while uncertainty around the Strait of Hormuz and oil flows remains a key overhang. At the same time, geopolitical tensions are intersecting with policy and economic considerations, including discussions around energy supply in Europe and broader global trade and security dynamics.Companies mentioned: Alibaba, Anthropic, Abbott Labs

US equity futures are modestly lower. Asian markets are mostly lower and European equities are also weaker. Risk appetite is softer as geopolitical tensions in the Middle East continue to weigh on sentiment despite the recent US-Iran ceasefire. Ongoing military activity and conflicting details around the agreement are raising doubts about its durability, with developments including Israeli strikes in Lebanon and renewed threats around the Strait of Hormuz. Markets are also navigating shifting central bank expectations, with reduced pricing for US rate cuts and expectations for tightening in Europe, while elevated oil prices and constrained shipping activity are seen as potential headwinds to a full recovery in risk assets.Companies mentioned: Nebius Group, Anthropic

S&P futures have advanced +2.5% following the ceasefire agreement. Asian markets closed higher across the board with notable gains in tech stocks. Japan’s Nikkei surged +5.5%, Korea's Kospi rallied +7%, and Greater China markets also saw sizable gains. European markets are sharply higher as early trades see the STOXX 600 up +3.5%, German DAX up +4.5%, and French CAC up +4%.Companies Mentioned: Ford, BlackRock

US equity futures are modestly lower. Asian markets ended mostly higher and European equities are broadly higher after long Easter weekend. Markets remain focused on Middle East developments, with attention on potential US-Israeli strikes targeting Iran’s infrastructure ahead of a key US deadline. Iran continues to reject a temporary ceasefire proposal, pushing instead for a permanent resolution before reopening the Strait of Hormuz. The evolving situation is driving intraday volatility across equities and oil, while recent US data has provided some underlying support to risk sentiment.Companies Mentioned: Apple, SpaceX, OpenAI, Anthropic, Google

US equity futures lower with S&P down. Bonds are firmer, with treasury yields backing up. US 10-year adds 3 bps to 4.4%. Similar move seen in Gilts. Bund higher at 3%. Dollar rallies. Oil sharply higher. WTI crude above $106/bbl and Brent near $108. Gold lower. Industrial metals lower. Bitcoin falls. European equity markets are lower, Asian equity markets under pressure, with deep losses for Kospi. Nikkei is more than 2% lower. Hang Seng also weaker. Sentiment deteriorated after Trump's address on Iran. While he touted military accomplishments and reiterated aim of ending strikes in 2-3 weeks, he also hinted at escalation and there was a lack of emphasis on negotiations for a clear pathway to end conflict. He reiterated threat to destroy energy plants if no deal reached. Note that earlier reports mentioned ceasefire offer conditional on reopening Strait of Hormuz, but NY Times intel sources said Iran sees no reason for serious talks amid belief it has leverage.Companies mentioned: Kakao Mobility, Uber, Amazon, Globalstar, Estee Lauder, Puig

S&P futures are up +0.5% following sharp rebounds on Tuesday. Asian markets surged on easing geopolitical tensions around the Iran conflict today. Japan’s Nikkei and Topix both closed near +5% higher, and South Korea’s Kospi surged +8%, temporarily triggering a futures trading halt due to extreme gains in chip stocks. Gains were more modest in China. European equities are also sharply higher with major benchmarks up +1-2%.Companies Mentioned: OpenAI, Google, Microsoft

S&P futures are up +1% and pointing to a higher open today. Asian equities mostly traded lower today. Japan's Nikkei fell (0.9%), with losses tied to auto and technology stocks. The Kospi and Taiex dropped the most, as chip-related names sold off. Greater China markets saw marginal losses. Early European trading is mostly positive. Companies Mentioned: Gilead Sciences, McCormick

S&P futures are indicating a slightly higher open today. Asian markets closed mostly lower on Monday. Japan, South Korea, and Taiwan saw the steepest losses amid heightened risk-off sentiment. Early European trading is modestly positive with most markets firmer following Friday’s downbeat sessions.Companies Mentioned: Vertical Aerospace, Palantir

S&P futures are indicating a slightly higher open today. Asian markets delivered mixed results on Friday. Greater China markets finished moderately higher, buoyed by gains in high-tech and materials sectors. Japan's Nikkei ended nearly flat. South Korea and Taiwan posted losses. European equity markets are also mixed this morning with Germany and France edging lower. Companies Mentioned: Anthropic, OpenAI, Motorola Solutions

S&P futures are indicating a lower open today following broad weakness in Asia as Iran has rejected negotiations. Asian market fell across the board today with sharpest losses in Hong Kong and Korea. Memory stocks plummeted following reports of an algorithm breakthrough at Google. European markets are also lower in early trading. Companies Mentioned: Blackstone, Driven Brands, Japan Display, Google, Samsung Electronics, SK Hynix

S&P futures are up near +1% on signals of de-escalation in the Middle East. Asian markets rallied on Wednesday, with standout performances in Japan where the Nikkei gained +2.7% and the Topix also posted sharp gains. Greater China, South Korea, India, and Australia saw solid advances as well. European markets are also higher in early trading.Companies Mentioned: Disney, OpenAI, Palantir, SpaceX

S&P futures are pointing to a slightly higher open following Monday's sharp rebound. Asian markets advanced on Tuesday, though most indices closed off their peaks. Outperformers today were Japan's Topix, South Korea's Kospi and Hong Kong's Hang Seng. European equity markets opened modestly higher following a volatile Monday. Companies Mentioned: Gilead Sciences, Estée Lauder, Exxon Mobil

S&P futures are down (0.8%) as escalating tension in the Middle East continues to weigh down sentiment. Asian markets were plummeting today, with Japan and Greater China benchmarks all down near (3.5%). The Nikkei hit a year-to-date low, while the Hang Seng fell to its lowest level since mid-2025. South Korea and Taiwan also saw heavy losses, with chipmakers and tech stocks under intense pressure. European markets are also sharply lower in early trading. Companies Mentioned: Palantir, Synopsys, OpenAI

S&P futures are suggesting a moderately higher open today following de-escalation signals from the Middle East. Asian markets were mixed on Friday amid light trading volumes. Hong Kong and Shanghai closed lower with both markets reaching two-week lows. South Korea’s Kospi closed slightly higher. Markets in Japan, Indonesia, and the Philippines were closed for holidays. European markets are ticking higher following deep losses yesterday. Companies Mentioned: NVIDIA, Amazon, Unilever, OpenAI