U.S. futures advanced early Wednesday after a report indicated Washington had submitted a plan to Iran aimed at ending the ongoing conflict. Indices including the S&P 500, Dow Jones Industrial Average, and Nasdaq 100 all registered significant gains following the news.
At 4:28 p.m. (Bangkok Time), futures contracts tied to major indexes moved higher, with both the S&P 500 and Dow Jones benchmarks up by approximately 0.9%. The Nasdaq 100 futures gained 1.06%, recovering after a period of declines in broader equity markets.
Energy prices on Wednesday also tumbled in tandem with the developments, as future contracts of West Texas Intermediate crude dropped to $88.23 per barrel and Brent crude fell to $95.70, representing around 4 – 5% decline. The shifts come as investors react to market volatility driven by fluctuating tensions in the Middle East.
On Tuesday, President Donald Trump stated that the United States is actively negotiating with Iran and that leaders in Tehran are increasingly open to discussions. He indicated that Iran appears receptive to resolving the situation through diplomatic channels.
The New York Times reported that U.S. officials had communicated a proposed 15-point framework to Iranian authorities via Pakistan, referencing unnamed sources. This reported initiative underscores the Trump administration’s urgency in de-escalating hostilities amid continued economic repercussions. While the administration has publicized ongoing diplomatic outreach, Tehran has disputed suggestions of direct communications.
Investors are now turning their attention to scheduled economic updates, with key February import and export price data expected later on Wednesday.
