Tonight Highlights | Trump Signals "Major Deal" with Iran as U.S. Futures Edge Higher
U.S. equity futures posted modest gains in pre-market trading on Tuesday as investors weighed optimistic rhetoric from the White House against ongoing naval tensions in the Middle East.
As of the latest data, Dow Jones futures are up 0.49%, S&P 500 futures have gained 0.28%, and Nasdaq 100 futures are trading 0.31% higher.
The primary driver for the improved sentiment is President Trump’s recent optimistic outlook on the U.S.-Iran crisis.
Trump stated Tuesday that a "major deal" is inevitable, asserting that the U.S. is in a "powerful negotiating position" following successful naval blockades.
Despite this, the ground reality remains volatile; Tehran continues to maintain strict control over the Strait of Hormuz and has issued conflicting reports regarding its delegation's arrival in Islamabad for the second round of peace talks.
On the domestic front, the Senate Banking Committee will hold a high-stakes confirmation hearing for Fed Chair nominee Kevin Warsh.
Warsh is expected to emphasize his commitment to "monetary policy independence," a stance that will be closely scrutinized by markets seeking clarity on the future of 2026 interest rate cuts.
Corporate Briefs
UnitedHealth Surges on Earnings Beat: UnitedHealth Group (UNH) shares rose nearly 8% pre-market after reporting Q1 revenue of $111.7 billion (up 2% YoY), beating consensus estimates. The healthcare giant also raised its full-year earnings guidance, citing strong cash flows and operational efficiency.
Amazon Deepens Anthropic Ties: Amazon shares gained 2.5% following the announcement of a new agreement to deepen its partnership with AI startup Anthropic. This move is seen as a strategic push to solidify AWS as a primary hub for generative AI development.
AMD Taps GlobalFoundries for AI Breakthrough: AMD has announced a partnership with GlobalFoundries to develop Co-Packaged Optics (CPO) solutions for its next-generation Instinct MI500 AI accelerators. The chips will utilize MRM-based photonic integrated circuits, with ASE handled the final packaging.
SpaceX IPO Control Structure: Leaked prospectus details confirm that Elon Musk will maintain absolute voting control over SpaceX post-IPO through a dual-class share structure. Additionally, the company’s cash reserves have reportedly doubled to over $22.8 billion by early 2025.
Walmart’s $10B Tariff Windfall: As the U.S. government begins the "unprecedented" tariff refund process, Citi Research estimates that Walmart could be the biggest beneficiary, potentially reclaiming $10.2 billion in previously paid duties. Target and Nike are also expected to receive refunds of $2.2 billion and $1 billion, respectively.
Raytheon (RTX) Raises Guidance: Citing robust demand for defense hardware and a recovery in commercial aviation, Raytheon raised its 2026 outlook. The company now expects full-year sales to reach as high as $93.5 billion, with adjusted EPS projected between $6.70 and $6.90.