Wall Street Futures Mixed as Investors Monitor Oil Prices and Middle East Diplomacy: Dow Jones, S&P, Nasdaq

Wall Street Futures Mixed as Investors Monitor Oil Prices and Middle East Diplomacy: Dow Jones, S&P, Nasdaq

Fiona Craig

Tue, September 22, 2026 at 4:13 PM GMT+3 2 min read

US stock futures were mixed on Tuesday following strong gains in the previous session, as investors assessed geopolitical developments and another decline in oil prices.

Dow Jones Industrial Average futures rose 0.33%, while S&P 500 futures edged up approximately 0.05%. Nasdaq futures slipped 0.02%, suggesting a more subdued start for technology stocks after Monday's rally.

Lower crude prices helped ease inflation concerns, although investors remained focused on developments in the Middle East and their potential implications for financial markets.

Trump's UN Address and Possible Iran Meeting in Focus

Investors were awaiting US President Donald Trump's speech at the United Nations General Assembly later on Tuesday.

Attention was also directed towards a possible meeting in New York between Trump and Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, amid efforts to address tensions in the Middle East.

Trump said that significant developments could occur soon and described himself as being in a "deciding mode" over whether to pursue military action, maintain economic pressure or reach an agreement.

The possibility of diplomatic progress contributed to the recent decline in oil prices, reducing some concerns about energy-driven inflation.

US Stocks Rally on Monday as Nasdaq Reaches Record High

Wall Street recorded substantial gains on Monday, supported by falling Treasury yields, lower oil prices and renewed investor interest in artificial intelligence.

The major indices opened higher and continued to advance throughout the session, finishing at their intraday highs.

The Dow Jones Industrial Average gained 366.19 points, or 0.71%, to close at 52,048.83.

The Nasdaq Composite surged 599.55 points, or 2.26%, to a record closing level of 27,122.09.

The S&P 500 advanced 114.20 points, or 1.49%, to finish at 7,764.70.

Technology shares benefited from optimism surrounding artificial intelligence, although Nasdaq futures indicated a slight pullback ahead of Tuesday's opening bell.

Oil Decline Weighs on Energy Stocks

Energy shares came under pressure during Monday's session as crude prices fell sharply.

West Texas Intermediate crude futures for October delivery dropped more than 4.5% to $95.70 a barrel.

The decline reflected expectations that diplomatic engagement between the United States and Iran could help reduce tensions in the Middle East.

Lower oil prices also contributed to easing inflation concerns, supporting broader equity markets despite the weakness in energy stocks.

Treasury Yields Fall Below 5%

US Treasury yields declined on Monday as investors reassessed inflation risks following the drop in crude prices.

The yield on the benchmark 10-year Treasury note fell below 5%, providing additional support for equities.

Lower bond yields can reduce borrowing costs and improve the relative appeal of stocks, particularly growth-oriented companies.

Tuesday's mixed futures indicated a more cautious opening after the previous session's strong gains, with investors continuing to monitor diplomatic developments, energy prices and Treasury yields.

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