Stock futures are mostly higher this morning, with tech leading the charge. The Nasdaq-100 Index (NDX) and S&P 500 Index (SPX) are eyeing modest opens higher, with chipmaker Intel (INTC) powering semiconductors after an encouraging earnings report. Futures on the Dow Jones Industrial Average (DJIA) are modestly lower, even after President Donald Trump announced Israel and Lebanon extended their ceasefire by three weeks. There's also cautious optimism amid reports that Iran and the U.S. will continue talks in Pakistan this week. Investors are also monitoring a decline in West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude prices.
5 Things You Need to Know Today
- The Cboe Options Exchange saw roughly 2.7 million call contracts and 1.4 million put contracts traded Thursday. The single-session equity put/call ratio rose to 0.51, while the 21-day moving average stayed at 0.60.
- Nike Inc (NYSE:NKE) stock is up 0.5% premarket, after the company said it will be laying off around 1,400 workers, mostly out of its technology unit. A spokesperson cited accelerating company growth as the catalyst. NKE has been on a downward trajectory for three years and now carries a 29% year-to-date deficit.
- Procter & Gamble Co (NYSE:PG) stock is 3.1% higher before the bell, after the products manufacturer posted a top-line beat for the first quarter reiterated its full-year outlook. PG will be looking to add more distance between its year-to-date breakeven level.
- Shares of SLM Corp (NASDAQ:SLM) are 2.7% lower ahead of the open, brushing off an otherwise upbeat first-quarter, including a hike to its full-year guidance. SLM was nursing a 13% year-to-date deficit heading into today, yesterday unable to break above pressure at the $24 mark.
- Next week will host the FOMC meeting and Big Tech earnings.
Geopolitical Tensions Pressure Asian Markets
The Israel-Lebanon ceasefire extension assuaged some fears in Asia. Japan’s Nikkei added 1%, after core inflation rose 1.8% in March to its highest level of 2026, but in line with expectations. The Kospi in South Korea finished flat despite a big day from small caps. Rounding out the region, Hong Kong’s Hang Seng and China’s Shanghai Composite finished 0.2% higher and 0.3% lower, respectively.
In Europe, the ceasefire optimism isn’t as prevalent. London’s FTSE 100 is down 0.3% even as retail sales impressed, while the French CAC 40 is off by 0.5%, with Renault weighing. The German DAX is 0.2% higher thanks to a post-earnings pop from SAP.
