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Stocks Down Pre-Bell as Trump Warns US-Iran Ceasefire Fragile; Inflation Data on Deck

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Stocks Down Pre-Bell as Trump Warns US-Iran Ceasefire Fragile; Inflation Data on Deck

US equity futures were pointing lower on Tuesday as investors assess President Donald Trump's latest comments on the US-Iran ceasefire and await a key inflation report.

The S&P 500 declined 0.3%, the Dow Jones Industrial Average edged down 0.1% and the Nasdaq was off 0.7% in premarket activity. The indexes finished the previous trading session up, with the S&P 500 and the Nasdaq logging new closing highs.

The ceasefire agreement between the US and Iran is on "massive life support," Trump told reporters on Monday, according to several media outlets. "I would call it the weakest, right now, after reading that piece of garbage they sent us - I didn't even finish reading it," Trump reportedly said.

Trump on Sunday rejected Iran's counteroffer to end the war, extending uncertainty around oil flows through the Strait of Hormuz. Tehran's proposal, delivered via mediator Pakistan, reportedly sought an immediate end to hostilities, the lifting of the US naval blockade of its ports and assurances against further aggression.

West Texas Intermediate crude oil increased 3.2% to $101.16 a barrel before the opening bell, while Brent advanced 2.9% to $107.27.

Trump is scheduled to arrive in China Wednesday for a high-stakes state visit, with talks set to take place Thursday and Friday.

"The US will want China to use its influence with Tehran, especially because China is a major buyer of Iranian oil," Saxo Bank Chief Investment Strategist Charu Chanana said in a report Monday. "China, meanwhile, wants energy security and stable shipping lanes, but it is unlikely to appear as if it is acting under US instruction."

The consumer price index report for April is scheduled for an 8:30 am ET release. Official data are expected to show that consumer inflation rose 0.6% and 3.7% on sequential and annual bases last month, according to a Bloomberg-compiled consensus.

Treasury yields were trending higher in premarket action, with the two-year rate rising 2.4 basis points to 3.97% and the 10-year rate adding 1.9 basis points to 4.43%.

The National Federation of Independent Business small business optimism index posted a 0.1-point increase for April to 95.9.

Sea (SE), JD.com (JD), On Holding (ONON), Tencent Music Entertainment (TME), Aramark (ARMK) and Under Armour (UA, UAA) are scheduled to report their latest financial results before the bell, among others.

Gold declined 0.6% to $4,701 per troy ounce, while bitcoin fell 1.5% to $80,679.

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