US Stock Futures Rise as Trump Signals Iran Talks, Markets Await SpaceX Earnings and Jobs Data

U.S. stock index futures edged higher late Monday after President Donald Trump reiterated that negotiations with Iran were continuing, despite Tehran denying that direct talks with Washington were taking place. Investors also shifted their attention to a packed week of corporate earnings and key U.S. economic data, including the July nonfarm payrolls report.

As of 20:14 ET (00:14 GMT), S&P 500 Futures gained 0.07% to 7,634.25, Nasdaq 100 Futures climbed 0.14% to 28,931.75, and Dow Jones Futures advanced 0.18% to 53,432. The gains followed a strong Wall Street session, with the major indexes rising between 1% and 2.3% after oil prices tumbled.

Market sentiment improved after President Trump said the U.S. had canceled a planned major attack on Iran over the weekend, easing fears of an immediate escalation in the Middle East. Although Trump maintained on Monday that discussions with Iran were ongoing and urged Tehran to accept a deal, Iranian officials continued to reject claims of direct negotiations with Washington. Instead, Iran confirmed it was working with Oman on discussions related to the Strait of Hormuz, where shipping activity remains limited amid heightened regional tensions.

The sharp decline in crude oil prices helped boost investor confidence, while technology and artificial intelligence stocks rebounded after recent weakness. Palantir Technologies was among the standout performers in after-hours trading, soaring nearly 14% after reporting stronger-than-expected earnings for the June quarter.

Investors are now preparing for several high-profile earnings releases. SpaceX is scheduled to publish its first quarterly results as a publicly listed company on Tuesday, making it one of the week's most anticipated reports. Advanced Micro Devices (AMD), Caterpillar, and Merck & Co. are also set to release quarterly earnings, offering further insight into corporate performance across key sectors.

Beyond earnings, attention will turn to the July U.S. nonfarm payrolls report later this week. The employment data is expected to provide fresh clues about the strength of the labor market and could influence expectations for the Federal Reserve's next interest rate decisions, making it one of the most closely watched economic releases of the month.