US stock futures edged higher on Wednesday following stronger-than-expected private payrolls data and a report that Iran has indirectly approached the US to discuss terms for ending the escalating conflict.
Contracts on the S&P 500 (ES=F) rose 0.3% and the Nasdaq 100 (NQ=F) gained 0.5%. Dow Jones Industrial Average (YM=F) futures added 0.2% after the major US benchmarks closed sharply lower on Tuesday in a seesaw day on Wall Street.
The conflict that has whipsawed stocks entered its fifth day on Wednesday with fresh strikes by Israel on Tehran as Iran awaits the funeral of Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, killed in weekend attacks. Worries over the fallout from hostilities helped drive Korea’s main benchmark to its biggest one-day crash on record.
But stocks gained on Wall Street following an early Wednesday New York Times report about Iran’s Ministry of Intelligence approaching the CIA through another nation’s spy agency. However, US officials are said to be unconvinced by the move, and analysts downplayed the bid to negotiate as it was made soon after the fighting began.
Geopolitical tensions have been spurring volatility in US stocks, with dip-buyers playing a part as prices tumbled. Some on Wall Street have warned against counting on President Trump to “chicken out” and rescue stocks.
Trump said on Tuesday that the US would provide insurance and escorts for oil tankers to try to restore traffic through the crucial Strait of Hormuz, stalled amid threats from Iran. The promise of safe passage came as soaring oil prices threatened to bump up inflation, curbing the scope for US interest rate cuts.
Oil prices pared gains on news of the Iran outreach, with Brent crude futures (BZ=F) trading near $82 a barrel and West Texas Intermediate futures (CL=F) trading at about $75.
Data from ADP showed that the private sector added 63,000 jobs in February, exceeding economist estimates of 50,000. The figures will set expectations for Federal Reserve action on interest rates as a health check on the labor market ahead of Friday’s crucial monthly jobs report.
Meanwhile, earnings take on a muted focus this week, with reports from Broadcom (AVGO), Costco (COST), and Alibaba (BABA) highlighting the coming days.
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