Stock Market Today: Nasdaq Futures Jump 0.6% as S&P 500 and Dow Rise on Ceasefire Hopes, Oil Falls

US stock futures jumped at the start of the week as oil prices pulled back and renewed ceasefire hopes eased market tensions, giving investors fresh confidence after days of conflict-driven volatility.

The strongest tone came from tech. Nasdaq 100 futures (NQ=F) jumped 0.6%, leading the early move higher. S&P 500 futures (ES=F) rose roughly 0.4%, while the contract itself was quoted at 6,636.50, up 14.25 points or 0.22%. Dow Jones futures (YM=F) also moved into the green, adding about 0.1% as traders weighed the possibility that the latest geopolitical shock may not spiral further. In the cash market backdrop, the S&P 500 (^GSPC) was also indicated slightly higher.

Oil was the other side of the story, and arguably the more important one for sentiment. Brent futures had surged near the open on Sunday night as the market priced in worsening disruption risk tied to the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world’s most important oil chokepoints. But as reports of fresh diplomatic activity surfaced, that spike started to unwind. Brent crude (BZ=F) fell back to around $108.53 a barrel, while West Texas Intermediate (CL=F) slipped to roughly $109. That reversal gave stock futures room to recover because it eased, at least temporarily, the fear that higher energy costs would quickly feed into broader inflation.

That is the real market tension now. Investors are not only watching war headlines. They are also trying to gauge whether any sustained jump in oil could complicate the Federal Reserve’s rate path just as inflation has remained stubborn. A crude spike above recent levels would threaten margins, dent consumer confidence, and potentially alter expectations for policy easing. Monday’s price action suggested traders saw at least a narrow opening for relief, even if the broader geopolitical picture remains fragile.

Ceasefire hopes calm one market pressure point

The latest move higher in futures was tied to cautious optimism that diplomatic channels had not fully closed. Reports pointed to renewed efforts by international intermediaries to secure at least a temporary halt to attacks and reduce the risk of a deeper regional blockade. That was enough for traders to fade some of the worst-case oil scenario that had built up into the start of the week. It did not erase the risk premium, but it stopped that premium from expanding.

Wall Street’s response reflected that nuance. This was not a euphoric rally. It was more of a measured rebound led by sectors that had been hit by anxiety around rates, inflation, and global growth. Technology names were especially sensitive because the group had already been wrestling with valuation concerns before the latest geopolitical shock. With crude pulling back and immediate panic easing, the market found a reason to rotate back toward growth.

That dynamic helps explain why the Nasdaq was out in front. The tech-heavy benchmark remains closely linked to the broader artificial intelligence trade, a theme that has stayed central to investor positioning in 2026. Commentary from bullish analysts added to that tone, arguing that the recent software weakness may have gone too far given the pace of AI spending and enterprise adoption. In other words, Monday’s rebound was not just about geopolitics cooling slightly. It was also about investors rediscovering a familiar growth narrative the moment macro pressure eased.

For a closer look at real-time futures pricing, traders continue to monitor the main quote pages for Nasdaq 100 futures (NQ=F) and S&P 500 futures (ES=F), where overnight sentiment often shows up before the opening bell.

Oil, inflation and earnings now sit at the center of the week

The market also returned from the Good Friday trading pause with fresh economic data to digest. The March US jobs report showed the economy added 178,000 jobs, while the unemployment rate edged down to 4.3%. On its own, that kind of labor resilience would normally support confidence in the economy. But during a period of geopolitical instability and rising energy costs, strong data can cut both ways. It can reassure investors about growth while also reinforcing concerns that the Fed may need to stay restrictive for longer.

That is why this week’s inflation release will carry added weight. If headline price pressures reflect the recent surge in energy costs more quickly than expected, the market may need to rethink the durability of Monday’s rebound. Earnings are another key test. Delta Air Lines is due to report this week, and investors will be listening for any read-through on fuel costs, travel demand, and consumer behavior. In a market like this, company commentary can matter nearly as much as the numbers themselves.

For broader reporting on energy and geopolitical developments shaping global markets, investors are also following coverage from Reuters, especially as shifts in diplomacy and shipping access continue to move oil in real time.

For now, the message from futures is straightforward. Traders started the week willing to buy the dip, but only because oil backed off and ceasefire hopes, however tentative, gave them an opening. Nasdaq 100 futures (NQ=F) led the move with a 0.6% gain, S&P 500 futures (ES=F) pushed higher from 6,636.50, and Dow futures (YM=F) followed. At the same time, Brent crude (BZ=F) falling back toward $108.53 helped cool one of the market’s biggest immediate fears. Whether that holds will depend less on the opening bell and more on what comes next from oil, inflation data, and the fragile ceasefire narrative hanging over both.