
December S&P 500 E-Mini futures (ESZ24) are down -0.32%, and December Nasdaq 100 E-Mini futures (NQZ24) are down -0.45% this morning as risk-off sentiment prevailed due to the potential for escalating conflict in the Middle East, while investors awaited a new round of U.S. economic data and remarks from a Federal Reserve official.
Crude oil extended gains on Thursday as investors anticipated Israel’s response to Iran’s missile attack, with U.S. President Joe Biden urging Israel to refrain from targeting Iran’s nuclear facilities. Israel’s fighter jets struck Beirut overnight following the death of eight of its soldiers in southern Lebanon during clashes with Hezbollah.