New York, 16 March 2026 – U.S. stock futures moved higher on Monday as technology stocks led early gains, even as investors remained cautious over escalating geopolitical tensions in the Middle East and the risk of surging energy prices.
Futures tied to the Dow Jones Industrial Average, S&P 500 and Nasdaq all climbed in pre-market trading, signalling a stronger start to the week after several volatile sessions triggered by the Iran conflict and oil price shocks.
Tech Stocks Drive Early Momentum
Technology shares were among the biggest contributors to the market’s early gains.
Shares of Meta Platforms rose roughly 3% in pre-market trading after reports suggested the social-media giant could cut more than 20% of its workforce as it restructures around artificial-intelligence investments.
The potential layoffs are seen as part of a broader trend among major technology companies seeking to reduce costs and shift resources toward AI infrastructure and automation.
Other technology and growth stocks also advanced, helping offset broader caution across global markets driven by geopolitical risks.
Wall Street Opens Higher
When trading began, the major U.S. indices recorded gains:
- Dow Jones Industrial Average: up about 148.9 points (0.32%)
- S&P 500: up 42.2 points (0.64%)
- Nasdaq Composite: up 235 points (1.06%)
The gains suggested that investor optimism around technology and AI-related sectors remained resilient despite ongoing geopolitical uncertainty.
Oil Prices and Geopolitics Remain Key Risk
Investors are still closely monitoring the Middle East conflict, which has significantly disrupted energy markets and pushed oil prices sharply higher in recent weeks.
The conflict involving Iran has threatened supply routes through the Strait of Hormuz, a critical energy corridor that carries roughly one-fifth of global oil shipments.
Higher energy prices have already raised concerns about global inflation and economic growth, with analysts warning that sustained supply disruptions could trigger further market volatility.
Global Markets Watching Central Banks
The geopolitical tensions are unfolding just as investors are awaiting signals from the U.S. Federal Reserve about interest-rate policy.
Traders are assessing whether rising energy costs could delay anticipated rate cuts, which had previously been expected later this year.
For now, however, technology sector momentum appears strong enough to keep Wall Street supported, highlighting the continued influence of AI-driven investment themes in global equity markets.
