US stock futures were little changed on Wednesday following a highly volatile session on Wall Street, as investors continued to track developments in the Middle East. On Tuesday, the S&P 500 dropped as much as 2.49% intraday before closing down 0.94%, while the Dow Jones Industrial Average and the Nasdaq Composite declined 0.83% and 1.02%, respectively. All 11 S&P sectors finished lower, with materials, industrials, and health care among the weakest performers.
Investors weighed the risk that rising energy prices—driven by escalating tensions between the US, Israel, and Iran—could dampen economic growth and reignite inflation. Losses were partly pared after President Donald Trump pledged to escort oil tankers through the Strait of Hormuz, easing some concerns about supply disruptions.
On the corporate front, markets looked ahead to earnings reports from Broadcom, Okta, and Abercrombie & Fitch for additional direction.
