Fed Minutes Loom Large Amid US-Iran Tensions

The US stock market is steady ahead of the Federal Reserve meeting minutes, while investors monitor the escalating tensions between the United States and Iran. The S&P 500 futures contracts were unchanged at 7,551.25 points, with the Dow Jones futures slipping slightly to 53,132 points (-0.12%), and the Nasdaq 100 futures rising to 29,447 points (+0.19%).

The market volatility index VIX rose 3.60% to 16.13 points, signaling caution among investors due to geopolitical risks and expectations for US monetary policy. The Dow Jones closed down by over 100 points in the previous session, while the S&P 500 fell by about 0.5%, and the Nasdaq Composite retreated by approximately 1.2%.

The conflict between the United States and Iran has raised concerns about possible impacts on the global economy and energy supply. The US Treasury Department revoked a license that allowed Iran to export oil to the international market, increasing fears of disruptions to the global supply of the commodity.