US stock futures rose sharply in pre-market trading on Tuesday, despite continued geopolitical tensions in the Middle East, particularly with escalating US statements regarding the situation with Iran.
In this context, US President Donald Trump said that Iran had violated the ceasefire “many times,” at a time when the existing truce, which lasts for two weeks and is scheduled to end Wednesday evening, is nearing its end, unless a new agreement is reached or it is extended between the parties concerned.
Regarding individual stock movements before the market opened, shares of UnitedHealth Group jumped by more than 7%, after announcing strong quarterly results that exceeded analysts' expectations.
In addition, the company raised its future profit forecasts, which boosted investor confidence in its performance.
Shares of GE Aerospace also rose by about 3%, supported by positive quarterly results that exceeded market estimates during the first quarter, which positively impacted investor sentiment before the start of official trading.
Separately, investors on Wall Street are awaiting a Senate hearing for the likely nominee for Federal Reserve chairman, Kevin Warsh.
In a written statement, he stressed the importance of maintaining the independence of the US Federal Reserve, warning against any political interference that could affect its monetary decisions, and emphasizing the need to focus on its core functions.
As for futures contracts, US indices recorded notable gains before the market opened, with the Dow Jones Industrial Average contract rising by about 0.63% to reach 49,954 points, an increase of nearly 315 points.
S&P 500 futures rose 0.42% to 7,178.25 points, while Nasdaq 100 futures climbed 0.47% to 26,875.50 points, reflecting relative optimism in the market despite ongoing geopolitical risks.
