Stock Futures Modestly Lower as Investors Weigh Middle East Uncertainty
Stock futures are modestly lower this morning as investors weigh renewed uncertainty in the Middle East against continued strength in the broader economy. Markets are starting the second half of 2026 with a more cautious tone after a powerful second-quarter rally. Questions surrounding the U.S.-Iran negotiations have moved back into focus after signs that diplomatic progress may be slowing, reminding investors that geopolitical risk has not fully disappeared.Investors are closely watching comments from Fed Chair Kevin Warsh. Strong labor data has pushed back against expectations for easier monetary policy, and markets are increasingly debating whether rates could remain elevated longer than previously expected. With markets in a shortened holiday week, any surprise in labor data could have an outsized effect on expectations for rates and broader market direction.In pre-market trading, S&P 500 futures fell 0.25%, Nasdaq futures fell 0.77% and Dow futures fell 0.32%.Check out this morning's top movers from around Wall Street, compiled by The Fly.HIGHER -Klarnaup 10% after the company announced that a court has ruled in PriceRunner's favor, awarding $1.97B damages in an antitrust case brought by PriceRunner against GoogleMetaup 6% after Bloomberg reported that the company is building a cloud business to sell excess AI compute capacityServiceNowup 5% after Guggenheim upgraded the stock to Buy with a $125 price targetBloom Energyup 3% after announcing it will expand its AI infrastructure partnership with Brookfieldto $25B from $5BSalesforceup 4% after Guggenheim upgraded shares to Buy with a $228 price targetUP AFTER EARNINGS -Constellation Brandsup 3%DOWN AFTER EARNINGS -FactSetdown 2%Nikedown 1%LOWER -Shutterstockand Getty Imagesdown 32% and 7%, respectively, after Getty Images announced that its board unanimously decided not to proceed with the process to sell Shutterstock's editorial business under the supervision of the UK Competition and Markets Authority and to terminate the merger agreementAlcoadown 5% after reporting that it has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire South32'sinterests in bauxite mine, alumina refinery and aluminum smelter operations in a cash and stock transaction for an upfront consideration of approximately $4.1B
