US Equity Futures Flat Pre-Bell as Fragile US-Iran Ceasefire Causes Wariness Among Traders
US equity futures were flat pre-bell on Friday as traders were wary of the fragile two-week ceasefire between the US and Iran.Dow Jones Industrial Average futures were flat, S&P 500 futures were up 0.1%, while Nasdaq futures were 0.2% higher.The Strait of Hormuz remains shut, while Israel continues to exchange fire with Hezbollah in Lebanon, even with the US-Iran talks scheduled on Saturday morning in Islamabad. Israel has said it would start talks with the Lebanese government targeting to disarm Hezbollah and end attacks in the nation.Oil prices were higher, with front-month global benchmark North Sea Brent crude up 0.1% at $95.99 per barrel and US West Texas Intermediate crude 0.2% higher at $98.06 per barrel.The March consumer price index, scheduled for release at 8:30 am ET, is seen coming in at 0.9% for February, compared with 0.3% reading in January, according to estimates compiled by Bloomberg. Meanwhile, the University of Michigan consumer sentiment for April is expected at 51.5%, down from 53.3% previously, and the February factory orders release is seen coming at negative 0.2%, compared with 0.1% previously.The two reports are scheduled at 10 am ET.