U.S. equity futures ticked up on Friday after the S&P 500 and Nasdaq Composite closed at fresh all-time highs in the prior session, as investors weighed strong corporate earnings against ongoing geopolitical tensions tied to Iran.
By 07:25 GMT, S&P 500 futures were up 0.2% at 7,255.0 points, while Nasdaq 100 futures rose 0.1% to 27,617.25 points. Futures on the Dow Jones Industrial Average also gained 0.1% to 49,900.0 points.
Earnings Momentum Continues to Support Equities
Markets finished Thursday in positive territory, with the S&P 500 advancing 1% to close above the 7,200 level for the first time. The Nasdaq Composite climbed roughly 0.9% to a record close, while the Dow Jones led gains with a 1.6% jump.
The rally was underpinned by a steady stream of upbeat earnings, reinforcing confidence in corporate resilience and helping markets look past concerns over inflation and geopolitical instability.
In after-hours trading, Apple (NASDAQ:AAPL) rose close to 3% after posting quarterly results, supported by robust iPhone demand and continued expansion in its high-margin services division. The company delivered record revenue and earnings per share, with iPhone sales growing more than 20% for a second consecutive quarter.
Meanwhile, Reddit (NYSE:RDDT) surged more than 13% after the close, following stronger-than-expected quarterly results and higher daily active user figures.
Investors are also looking ahead to additional earnings reports, with Chevron (NYSE:CVX), Exxon Mobil (NYSE:XOM), and AutoNation (NYSE:AN) due to release results before Friday’s opening bell.
Iran Tensions Keep Markets on Edge
Despite strong earnings support, sentiment remains cautious amid persistent geopolitical risks. Reports indicated that Donald Trump is set to receive a briefing on potential military options involving Iran, heightening fears of further escalation.
Iran has warned that any renewed U.S. military action would trigger “long and painful strikes” against American positions in the region.
The Strait of Hormuz remains disrupted, impacting a critical route for global oil shipments and tightening supply expectations. Brent crude briefly surged above $126 per barrel on Thursday—its highest level in four years—before pulling back to around $114 amid profit-taking and currency fluctuations.
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