Update: US Equity Investors to Focus This Week on Risk of Iran Ceasefire Falling Apart, Earnings, Nonfarm Payrolls
(Updates to add more information on the headline)US equity investors will look out for Iran ending its ceasefire agreement with Washington if the US military escorts ships stranded in the Strait of Hormuz, while focusing on mega-cap quarterly earnings and labor market data this week.* An Iranian official warned the US will be attacked if it tries to approach or enter the Strait of Hormuz, after President Donald Trump said the US military will begin guiding stranded ships through the chokepoint on Monday, CNN reported. US Central Command said it would support the effort with 15,000 military personnel, more than 100 land and sea-based aircraft, warships, and drones, Reuters reported.* Concurrently, Trump reported "very positive discussions" with Iran, according to CNN. The Iranian Foreign Ministry is reviewing the US' reply to Tehran's latest peace proposal, CNN reported, citing the ministry.* Meanwhile, West Texas Intermediate crude oil futures rose 1.3% to $103.27, and Brent crude futures climbed 1.3% to $109.62 early Monday. Most US Treasury yields also advanced, with the 10-year up two basis points to 4.4% and the two-year higher by 2.3 basis points to 3.91%.* Quarterly earnings due this week include Palantir Technologies (PLTR), Advanced Micro Devices (AMD), Arista Networks (ANET), Arm Holdings (ARM), Uber Technologies (UBER), Applovin (APP), Shell (SHEL), McDonald's (MCD), and Walt Disney (DIS).* Macroeconomic data due this week include nonfarm payrolls, JOLTS job openings, ADP private payrolls, Challenger job cuts, ISM services PMI, and the University of Michigan's preliminary consumer sentiment and inflation expectations.* Europe will respond should Trump follow through on his threat to raise tariffs on cars and trucks from the European Union to 25%, Eurogroup President Kyriakos Pierrakakis told Bloomberg. "The number one choice is always dialogue," he said. "If there is a deviation from what we have agreed upon, obviously all options are on the table and all choices will be on the table."