Wall Street awaits key tech results
U.S. equity futures pointed modestly higher early Wednesday as investors prepared for a pivotal earnings session led by Nvidia and Salesforce.
Dow futures were little changed, while S&P 500 futures added about 0.1% and Nasdaq 100 futures gained roughly 0.1%. The cautious tone follows gains in the previous session, when markets were supported by news of additional AI-related partnerships that helped calm disruption fears in the software space.
Investors continue to debate the sustainability of massive AI infrastructure spending by mega-cap technology firms and the timeline for turning that capital outlay into profits.
Nvidia in the spotlight
Nvidia’s results, due after the close, are widely seen as a barometer for the global artificial intelligence trade. The chipmaker has been central to market gains since the surge of enthusiasm following OpenAI’s ChatGPT launch in 2022.
However, the so-called “Magnificent Seven” stocks have stalled in 2026, as concerns mount over the durability of AI-driven earnings momentum.
Market participants view the report as critical not only for Nvidia shareholders but also for broader equity sentiment, given the company’s outsized role in AI infrastructure.
Salesforce faces cautious mood
Salesforce will also report after the closing bell. The cloud software group has been pressured by concerns that advanced AI models may compress demand for traditional software-as-a-service offerings.
Shares have fallen more than 26% year to date. Analysts say improved guidance or clearer AI product progress could stabilize sentiment, though long-term uncertainty around AI disruption continues to weigh on the sector.
Gold rebounds amid tariffs and diplomacy
Gold recovered after a prior-session decline, trading higher as investors assessed fresh U.S. tariff measures and upcoming talks between American and Iranian officials.
Spot gold rose close to 1%, while futures also advanced. The United States began collecting a temporary 10% global import tariff this week, and discussions are reportedly underway to lift the rate further, increasing trade-related uncertainty.
Oil near recent highs
Oil prices edged higher and remained near seven-month peaks ahead of the next round of U.S.-Iran negotiations in Geneva. Brent crude traded around 70 dollars per barrel, and West Texas Intermediate hovered near 66 dollars.
Geopolitical risk remains elevated as U.S. officials, including special representative Steve Witkoff and presidential adviser Jared Kushner, prepare to meet Iranian counterparts regarding Tehran’s nuclear program.
