U.S. stock futures experienced a decline on Thursday, as negotiations for peace talks between the U.S. and Iran have stalled. Investors are focused on Tesla’s recent earnings results, while awaiting a wave of new earnings announcements. The S&P 500 futures fell by 0.5% following another session that set a record high for the index. Dow Jones Industrial Average futures decreased by 0.7%, and those for the tech-oriented Nasdaq 100 also saw a minor drop of 0.5%.
The oil market continued to rally for the fourth consecutive day amidst geopolitical tensions, particularly following the lack of progress in U.S.-Iran negotiations. Despite an ongoing truce extension by President Trump, the Strait of Hormuz remains a point of contention. This has propelled Brent crude futures above $103 per barrel, while West Texas Intermediate rose past $94.
Investors are looking towards upcoming earnings reports to provide potential market boosts, especially as concerns regarding inflation tied to ongoing conflicts weigh on sentiment. Tesla’s shares initially rose after posting strong earnings but later fell nearly 3% as CEO Elon Musk indicated plans for significant capital expenditures that could impact cash flow.
In other market movements, ServiceNow’s stock fell over 10% in premarket trading despite announcing positive earnings. IBM also saw a decline of 7%, fueled by fears that its business may be affected by competition from AI solutions developed by Anthropic.
Anticipation is building for the forthcoming quarterly earnings from American Express, Blackstone, and American Airlines. Additionally, economic data releases are on the horizon, including a preliminary reading from S&P Global on manufacturing activity, which could reflect the effects of geopolitical tensions related to Iran.
In company news, Netflix announced a new $25 billion share buyback program, a move that follows its exit from a major acquisition deal with Warner Bros. Following the announcement, Netflix shares rose over 1% in premarket trading. This buyback authorization adds to the company’s previous plan and has no expiration date, with approximately $6.8 billion remaining from the earlier program.
Amid significant executive turnover across major firms, Tim Cook has declared plans to step down as Apple CEO, a move that aligns with broader trends of high CEO exits. Data indicates a record number of CEO transitions in early 2026, reflecting a turbulent corporate landscape. Cook’s tenure of 15 years at Apple will be succeeded by John Ternus.
Intel is set to report its Q1 earnings, with a keen focus on its role in the burgeoning AI sector. Having missed earlier opportunities in the AI chip market, Intel is now positioned to capitalize on the increasing demand for its CPUs as AI technology continues to evolve.
Additionally, oil prices have been buoyed by geopolitical uncertainties stemming from stalled U.S.-Iran negotiations, with Brent crude trading near $104 per barrel following a notable rise in previous sessions. The situation has caused significant disruptions in energy markets, particularly around the strategic Strait of Hormuz.
ServiceNow faces challenges as delays in major deals due to the ongoing conflict in the Middle East hinder revenue growth, resulting in a drop in share prices. Conversely, Texas Instruments saw a surge in after-hours trading following a robust earnings forecast, indicating strong demand across various segments, particularly in data centers and industrial sectors.
