US stock futures rise, oil slips amid optimism over Israel-Iran conflict easing.

US stock futures rise, led by S&P 500 and Nasdaq futures, as Israel-Iran conflict tensions ease. Oil prices slip after surging over the weekend, with WTI futures down 1% to around $72 a barrel. Gold prices also pull back, trading lower at around $3,440 an ounce. Investors await fresh data from the New York Fed's Empire State Manufacturing Survey and Wednesday's interest rate decision from the Federal Reserve.

US stock futures rose on Friday, June 16, 2025, led by gains in S&P 500 and Nasdaq futures, as tensions between Israel and Iran eased [2]. The S&P 500 ETF Trust (SPY) and the Invesco QQQ Trust, Series 1 (QQQ), which track the S&P 500 and Nasdaq Composite, respectively, both traded in the green. This uptick in stock futures was driven by a reduction in geopolitical uncertainty following the recent escalation in the Israel-Iran conflict [2].

Oil prices slipped after a weekend surge, with WTI futures down 1% to around $72 a barrel. The temporary spike in oil prices came as a result of growing Middle East tensions, which sent shockwaves through global markets [3]. However, as fears of a broader conflict subsided, oil prices moderated later in the session [3].

Gold prices also pulled back, trading lower at around $3,440 an ounce. Gold's performance was influenced by the safe-haven demand that typically follows geopolitical tensions. As investors sought refuge in gold, prices climbed to their highest point in over a month [4].

Investors are now awaiting fresh data from the New York Fed's Empire State Manufacturing Survey and Wednesday's interest rate decision from the Federal Reserve. The upcoming economic indicators and monetary policy announcement will likely shape market sentiment and influence asset prices in the coming days.

References:
[1] https://stocktwits.com/news-articles/markets/equity/thirty-percent-us-recession-probability-is-goldmans-latest-assumption/chlgPlhRRGc
[2] https://en.coinotag.com/bitcoin-faces-potential-decline-amid-1-billion-crypto-liquidation-following-israel-iran-conflict-reports/
[3] https://www.businesstoday.com.my/2025/06/13/oil-prices-briefly-spike-amid-middle-east-tensions-ease-to-us69/
[4] https://upstox.com/news/market-news/commodities/gold-rates-at-lifetime-high-indian-gold-futures-above-1-lakh-10-gm-on-mcx-on-escalating-israel-iran-tensions/article-173335/