FX.co ★ US Futures Steady Amid Iran Strikes

US stock futures steadied on Thursday as investors weighed the impact of rising tensions in the Middle East, after the US military confirmed it had launched strikes on Iran for a second consecutive day. Markets remain on edge that higher energy prices could reignite inflationary pressures and push the Federal Reserve to raise interest rates sooner than previously anticipated.

On Wednesday, the Dow Jones Industrial Average and the S&P 500 declined 1.09% and 0.28%, respectively, while the Nasdaq Composite inched up 0.2%. Materials, financials, and real estate were the weakest sectors, while energy and technology shares advanced.

Investors are now looking ahead to the latest weekly jobless claims and existing home sales data for new signals on the interest rate outlook. Markets are also awaiting earnings results from PepsiCo, Progressive, Cintas, and other major companies.