SPX: S&P 500 Futures Steady After Trump Extends Israel-Lebanon Ceasefire

Flatline trading was the name of the game early Friday as traders were digesting the latest news around Iran and Lebanon.

🕊️ Ceasefire Extension

• Futures tied to the S&P 500 hovered near the flatline early Friday after Donald Trump said Israel and Lebanon agreed to extend their ceasefire by three weeks following talks at the White House.
• Nasdaq futures gained about 0.4%, while Dow Jones Industrial Average futures slipped roughly 114 points, showing traders weren’t ready to commit strongly in either direction just yet.
• In markets, ceasefire extensions typically reduce volatility rather than trigger rallies outright. Think of it less as bullish news — more as fewer reasons to panic before the opening bell.

📉 Records Fade

• Both the S&P 500 and the Nasdaq Composite touched fresh intraday highs Thursday before reversing lower and closing down 0.4% and 0.9%, respectively. Record territory doesn’t always equal record closes.
• The Nasdaq’s drop marked its weakest daily performance in nearly a month, signaling that traders briefly hit pause after an extended run powered by tech leadership and easing geopolitical fears.
• The Dow also slipped about 180 points, reinforcing that Thursday’s session was less about panic and more about profit-taking near highs.

💻 Intel Rally

• Shares of Intel INTC surged roughly 20% after hours following a strong earnings beat and upbeat guidance, providing a positive backdrop for tech sentiment heading into Friday’s session.
• Corporate earnings continue to compete with geopolitical headlines for market attention. When both appear at once, traders often split their focus rather than rush aggressively into one narrative.
• With no major economic releases scheduled for the day, markets may remain headline-driven. That leaves investors watching diplomacy updates almost as closely as earnings screens.