US equity futures were edging higher pre-bell Tuesday as traders monitored the US-Iran situation for a potential peace agreement to end the Middle East war.
Dow Jones Industrial Average futures were 0.5% higher, S&P 500 futures were up 0.7%, and Nasdaq futures were 1.1% higher.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said that negotiations could "take a few days." Both sides said they have made progress on a potential memorandum of understanding that would end the war and provide 60 days for negotiators to reach a final deal.
The framework of the memorandum is focused on halting the war and the US naval blockade in exchange for Iran ensuring safe transit in the Strait of Hormuz, according to Iranian foreign ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei.
Traders observed the latest round of earnings, with AutoZone (AZO) reporting an increase in fiscal Q3 net income and net sales.
Oil prices were mixed, with front-month global benchmark North Sea Brent crude up 3% at $96.22 per barrel and US West Texas Intermediate crude 3.9% lower at $92.84 per barrel.
The Chicago Federal Reserve Bank's monthly National Activity Index rebounded to a reading of 0.14 in April from negative 0.15 in March, compared with expectations for a smaller gain to negative 0.03 in survey of analysts compiled by Bloomberg as of 7:30 am ET.
The March S&P Case-Shiller home price index is scheduled for release at 9 am ET. The May consumer confidence index, due at 10 am ET, is projected to fall to 92.0 from 92.8.
In other world markets, Japan's Nikkei closed 0.3% lower, Hong Kong's Hang Seng ended flat, and China's Shanghai Composite finished 0.2% lower. Meanwhile, the UK's FTSE 100 was up 0.5% and Germany's DAX index was 0.4% lower in Europe's early afternoon session.
In equities, Eli Lilly (LLY) shares were up 1.2% after the company said its experimental gene-editing therapy, VERVE-102, reduced LDL cholesterol and PCSK9 protein levels in a phase 1 study involving adults with heterozygous familial hypercholesterolemia or premature coronary artery disease. BHP Group (BHP) stock was 1.4% higher after a Guardian report that the company scrapped plans for an iron ore processing facility near its Jimblebar mine in Western Australia that was expected to improve ore quality and lower emissions.
On the losing side, energy majors ExxonMobil (XOM), Chevron (CVX), and Occidental Petroleum (OXY) saw their shares decline after oil prices fell below $100 for the first time in weeks. ExxonMobil shares were down 1.1%, Chevron stock was 1.2% lower, and Occidental Petroleum shares also fell 1.2%.