Dow-futures stijgen 120 punten: 5 dingen om te weten voordat de markt opent

US equity futures pointed to a firmer open on Thursday, with all three major index contracts trading in positive territory ahead of the New York session.

S&P 500 and Nasdaq 100 futures edged higher, while Dow futures rose about 120 points, or roughly 0.24%, in early trade.

The advance was underpinned by a confluence of forces: a nascent diplomatic opening between Washington and Tehran, a meaningful pullback in crude oil, and an earnings season that continues to exceed Wall Street's expectations.

Investors were also squaring positions ahead of closely watched US employment data due on Friday, a report that could sharpen the Federal Reserve's thinking on the pace and timing of any future rate moves.

5 things to know before Wall Street opens

1. Iran-US talks edge closer to a deal

Teheran bevestigde woensdag dat het een US vredesvoorstel beoordeelt dat, volgens functionarissen die de BBC hebben geïnformeerd, draait om een eenpagina-lange memorandum of understanding.

Het document zou voorzien in de geleidelijke heropening van de Strait of Hormuz — een cruciale route voor wereldwijde olietransporten — en het opheffen van een US naval blockade op belangrijke Iraanse havens, waarna in latere fases gesprekken over Teherans nucleaire programma zouden volgen.

Iran heeft het voorstel niet geaccepteerd, maar de bereidheid om de voorwaarden te bestuderen wijst op een betekenisvolle verschuiving in toon.

2. Oil falls sharply, easing inflation pressure

The prospect of renewed Hormuz access has sent crude prices lower, offering a measure of relief to an economy that has been grappling with elevated energy costs since the Middle East conflict began in late February.

Lower oil prices feed through to consumer inflation relatively quickly and, if sustained, could give the Federal Reserve more room to manoeuvre on rates.

However, Chicago Fed President Austan Goolsbee offered a note of caution, saying inflation "still is a long way from" the Fed's 2% target.

3. Earnings season remains exceptionally strong

With roughly 71% of S&P 500 companies having reported for the most recent quarter, approximately 84% have come in above analyst expectations, a beat rate that comfortably exceeds the historical average.

Technology and artificial intelligence-linked names have led the advance, with Alphabet, Amazon and Meta all delivering results that surpassed consensus forecasts.

4. Disney surges; McDonald's, Gilead and Airbnb due

Walt Disney was one of the standout movers in early trade, with its shares rising as much as 7.5% after the entertainment group posted quarterly revenue of $25 billion alongside adjusted earnings per share of $1.57, up 7% year on year.

The results underscored the continued recovery in theme parks and streaming.

Attention now turns to a second wave of reporters due Thursday, with McDonald's, Gilead Sciences and Airbnb all scheduled to publish results.

5. Jobs data are the session's pivot points

US non-farm payrolls data, due on Friday, represents the most significant scheduled release of the week.

A labour market cooling too quickly could reignite fears of a growth slowdown; one that remains too robust risks cementing the case for a prolonged pause on rates.