Stocks Rise Pre-Bell Amid Tech Rally; Middle East Uncertainty Persists
US equity futures were trending higher on Wednesday amid tech-driven momentum from the previous trading session, while investors continue to monitor ongoing uncertainty in the Middle East.The S&P 500 rose 0.3%, the Dow Jones Industrial Average gained 0.5% and the Nasdaq added 0.4% in premarket activity. The Nasdaq and the S&P 500 finished Tuesday trading at new record peaks, while the Dow closed lower.Shares of Micron Technology (MU) advanced 5.7% pre-bell after finishing the prior session up 19%. The semiconductor manufacturer's market capitalization crossed the $1 trillion mark for the first time on Tuesday, with UBS Securities increasing its price target on the company's stock.Marvell (MRVL) rose 6% before the bell, while Seagate (STX) and Western Digital (WDC) gained 3.6% and 3.3%, respectively.Investors are also keeping an eye out for any updates on peace talks between the US and Iran. Tehran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps reportedly said Tuesday that Iran has a "legitimate" right to respond to any violation of a ceasefire by the US.Earlier in the week, the US military targeted Iranian missile launch sites and boats around the crucial Strait of Hormuz, in what it described as "self-defense strikes," according to multiple media outlets. President Donald Trump said Monday that negotiations with Iran were "proceeding nicely.""While an extended conflict with Iran remains the largest risk to continued market gains, in our view, markets are positioned for more progress on peace talks and the Strait of Hormuz reopening," D.A. Davidson said in a report Tuesday.West Texas Intermediate crude oil declined 4% to $90.12 a barrel before the opening bell, while Brent fell 3.2% to $96.43.Treasury yields were down in premarket action, with the two-year rate retreating 2.9 basis points to 4.02% and the 10-year rate off 2.6 basis points to 4.47%.US consumer confidence fell in May amid mounting inflation concerns as the Middle East conflict has stretched for about three months now, a survey by the Conference Board showed Tuesday.Wednesday's economic calendar has the weekly mortgage applications bulletin at 7 am ET, followed by the Federal Reserve Bank of Richmond's manufacturing index for May at 10 am. The Atlanta Fed's survey of business uncertainty for this month is out at 11 am.Federal Reserve Governor Lisa Cook is scheduled to speak at 3:55 pm, while Fed Vice Chair Philip Jefferson speaks later at 8 pm.PDD (PDD), Dick's Sporting Goods (DKS), Dycom Industries (DY), Bath & Body Works (BBWI), Abercrombie & Fitch (ANF), Manchester United (MANU) and Capri (CPRI) report their latest financial results before the bell, among others. Marvell, Salesforce (CRM), Synopsys (SNPS), Snowflake (SNOW) and HP (HPQ) post their earnings after the markets close.Gold edged down 0.4% to $4,484 per troy ounce, while bitcoin was up slightly at $75,878.
