US equity markets were mostly pointing lower before the opening bell Thursday as Middle East uncertainty continued to weigh on sentiment.
The S&P 500 declined 0.5% and the Nasdaq fell 1.2% in premarket activity, while the Dow Jones Industrial Average rose 0.5%. The indexes finished the previous trading session in the red, with the S&P 500 snapping a nine-day winning streak.
Iran reportedly launched strikes targeting US bases in Kuwait and Bahrain, as well as a vessel near the Strait of Hormuz, in a significant escalation since a ceasefire took effect in April, several media outlets reported Wednesday. Earlier in the week, the US Central Command said it conducted self-defense strikes on Qeshm Island in response to attempted attacks by Iran across the Middle East.
The Republican-led House voted 215-208 Wednesday to limit President Donald Trump's war powers in Iran, CNN reported.
Trump suggested on Wednesday that there could be progress in negotiations with Iran as soon as this weekend, CNBC reported. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said contacts with Washington have not been cut off, but there has been no progress in discussions, according to the report.
Israel and Lebanon agreed on Wednesday to implement a ceasefire, subject to Iran-backed Hezbollah ending all fire and evacuating its operatives from the South Litani Sector, the US State Department said in a statement.
West Texas Intermediate crude oil decreased 1% to $95.06 a barrel before the open, while Brent moved down 1.3% to $96.60.
Treasury yields were down in premarket action, with the two-year rate retreating 3.1 basis points to 4.05% and the 10-year rate off 1.4 basis points to 4.48%.
Employers in the US announced 97,006 layoffs in May, up 16% from the month prior and 3% year over year, according to Challenger, Gray & Christmas' latest report. Thursday's economic calendar also has the weekly jobless claims bulletin.
On Wednesday, data from payroll processing firm ADP (ADP) showed that employment in the US private sector increased more than expected in May. The government's nonfarm payrolls report for May is scheduled to be released on Friday.
Federal Reserve Bank of Richmond President Thomas Barkin is slated to speak at 8:30 am ET, while San Francisco Fed President Mary Daly speaks at 1:10 pm.
Most Federal Reserve districts saw slight to moderate growth in economic activity since mid-April, while consumer spending remained mixed, the US central bank said in its latest Beige Book released Wednesday.
Space Exploration Technologies, widely known as SpaceX, is aiming to raise about $75 billion in what could be the biggest initial public offering of all time.
Broadcom (AVGO) and CrowdStrike (CRWD) dropped 11% each pre-bell after reporting their latest financial results.
Ciena (CIEN), Brown Forman (BF.A, BF.B) and Toro (TTC) report their quarterly earnings before the bell, among others. Lululemon Athletica (LULU), Guidewire Software (GWRE) and DocuSign (DOCU) post results after the markets close.
Gold gained 0.7% to $4,497 per troy ounce, while bitcoin dropped 4.9% to $62,329.
