Nasdaq, S&P 500 Futures Climb On Cooling Iran Risks: Why MU, NBIS, TSLA, NKE, ANNA Are Keeping Traders Engaged Today

• Signs of easing tensions in Iran and steady Fed policy commentary lifted risk sentiment.
• Oil volatility lingers, while retail positioning suggests skepticism toward the rally.
• Multiple Fed officials, including Michael Barr and Michelle Bowman, are also scheduled to speak today.

U.S. stock futures climbed early Tuesday on signs that geopolitical jitters were easing. A WSJ report indicated that President Donald Trump was willing to de-escalate military hostilities against Iran, even if the Strait of Hormuz remains partially restricted. This offset concerns around a reported Iranian strike on a Kuwaiti oil tanker near Dubai, which led to a brief swing in crude oil prices. 

Meanwhile, the Department of War will be holding a press conference at 8 AM E.T. on Tuesday. 

Adding cushion to the market sentiment are Fed Chair Jerome Powell’s remarks from Monday, in which he said that inflation is "in check" and that he saw no immediate need for further rate hikes.

As of 4:00 a.m. ET on Tuesday, Nasdaq futures rose 0.6%, Dow and S&P 500 futures gained 0.7%, and Russell 2000 futures rose more than 1%. 

Despite the green start, retail sentiment toward the SPDR S&P 500 ETF (SPY), an exchange-traded fund that tracks the S&P 500 Index, and the Invesco QQQ Trust (QQQ) ETF, which tracks the Nasdaq-100 Index, has been languishing at ‘extremely bearish’ amid high trading volume. 

Trending Stocks To Watch

Micron (MU): The stock held steady in early premarket trading after its 10% slide in the previous session. Last week, CEO Sanjay Mehrotra flagged ongoing supply constraints amid its aggressive spending.

Microsoft (MSFT): The company has announced a $1 billion investment in Thailand for cloud and AI hubs.

Nebius (NBIS): It was the top trending ticker on Stocktwits at the time of writing, following its announcement to construct a 310 MW AI factory in Finland.

Tesla (TSLA): The stock is trading at a six-month low ahead of its April 2 delivery report. Investors are bracing for a potential Q1 miss.

AleAnna Inc (ANNA): The Iran crisis keeps this European energy player on the retail radar. It reported a 1,000% revenue surge driven by the Longanesi gas field, and also its third consecutive quarter of positive net income.

Nike (NKE): The apparel giant is the primary focus of the earnings radar, set to report results after the closing bell on Tuesday.

Unilever & McCormick (MKC): Reports suggest the two are in advanced talks to combine food businesses in a deal that could create a $60 billion food titan.

Rocket Lab (RKLB): Shares are in focus after receiving regulatory approval to acquire Mynaric, bringing satellite laser communication technology in-house.

Allbirds (BIRD) spiked sharply after-hours, while Red Cat (RCAT) drew attention following the closure of its Apium Swarm Robotics acquisition. 

Other tickers trending on Stocktwits at the time of writing included Gorilla Technology Group (GRRR), Adobe Inc (ADBE), Federal National Mortgage Association (FNMA), and Alpha Tau Medical (DRTS)

Other Catalysts To Watch

On the economic front, traders will be watching for the release of Consumer Confidence (March), JOLTS Job Openings (February), Chicago PMI (March), and the S&P Case-Shiller Home Price Index data release today. Also, a whole host of Fed speakers take the stage throughout the day, including Michael Barr and Michelle Bowman.

On earnings radar, watch out for quarterly reports from McCormick (MKC), TD Synnex (SNX), Imunon (IMNN), and Data Storage Corp (DTST) before the bell. Meanwhile, Nike (NKE), Beyond Meat (BYND), Workhorse (WKHS), Bit Digital (BTBT), among others, report after market close today. 

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