Pre-market briefing Pre-Market Briefing — April 2, 2026
Today at a Glance
Market Sentiment
US stock futures are broadly lower heading into today's session. S&P 500 futures are down 1.3%, Nasdaq futures are down 1.7%, and Dow futures are down 0.9%. In a national address the previous evening, President Trump stated that the US would strike Iran "extremely hard" over the next two to three weeks, shattering hopes for an early end to the conflict. With the Strait of Hormuz remaining effectively blockaded, Brent crude has surged 6.6% to around $108 per barrel, and the 10-year Treasury yield has risen more than 5 basis points to 4.372%.
Asian markets also posted broad declines. Japan's Nikkei 225, which had jumped 5.24% the prior day, fell 2.38%, while South Korea's KOSPI plunged 4.47%, reflecting acute sensitivity to geopolitical risk. CNBC
Today's Events
$NKE (Nike) reported EPS of $0.35 (above the $0.28 consensus) in its latest release, but issued Q4 guidance for a 2–4% revenue decline and warned of a 20% drop in China revenue, sending shares down 9% after hours. With the stock hitting a nine-year low of $47.85, today's regular session could weigh on the broader consumer discretionary sector.
Previous Session Recap
On April 1, US stocks rebounded on hopes for a resolution to the Iran war. The S&P 500 closed +0.72%, the Nasdaq +1.16%, and the Dow +0.48%. Semiconductors ($SOXX) led the rally at +3.01%, with technology ($XLK +1.51%) and industrials ($XLI +1.67%) also driving gains. Energy ($XLE -3.74%), meanwhile, declined sharply on expectations of lower oil prices. The Fear & Greed Index remains at 16, in "Extreme Fear" territory. View Previous Session Recap
Stocks in Focus
Disclaimer: This content is for informational purposes only and does not constitute investment advice. All investment responsibility lies with the investor.
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