Investing.com-- U.S. stock index futures were little changed on Thursday evening after benchmark indexes notched fresh record highs for a second straight session, as improving geopolitical sentiment supported risk appetite.
S&P 500 Futures inched 0.1% higher to 7,082.75 points, while Nasdaq 100 Futures were muted at 26,479.0 points by 20:14 ET (00:14 GMT). Dow Jones Futures edged up 0.2% to 48,841.0 points.
S&P 500, Nasdaq scale fresh records amid Iran peace hopes
In the regular session, the S&P 500 and the NASDAQ Composite both ended at record closing highs for a second consecutive session, buoyed by optimism over easing tensions in the Middle East.
The Nasdaq also extended its winning streak to 12 sessions, marking its longest run of gains since 2009.
Investor sentiment was lifted after Israel agreed to a temporary ceasefire with Lebanon, while U.S. President Donald Trump signaled that Washington and Tehran could resume talks over the weekend, raising hopes for a broader de-escalation in the region.
The Lebanon ceasefire, expected to last around 10 days, is seen as a potential stepping stone toward wider peace negotiations.
Despite the upbeat tone, gains were modest as markets continued to grapple with conflicting signals. Oil prices remained elevated amid ongoing disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz.
Economic data released earlier in the day showed U.S. jobless claims falling more than expected, pointing to continued resilience in the labor market and offering further support to equities.
Corporate earnings also remained a key driver of market moves.
PepsiCo (NASDAQ:PEP) shares rose over 2% after the company posted better-than-expected quarterly earnings and revenue, benefiting from strong international demand and pricing power.
Abbott Laboratories (NYSE:ABT) stock fell 6% after cutting its full-year profit outlook, citing acquisition-related pressures, while Charles Schwab Corp (NYSE:SCHW) dropped more than 7% as investors reacted to a lack of clear forward guidance despite an earnings beat.
After the bell, attention turned to Netflix (NASDAQ:NFLX), which delivered stronger-than-expected first-quarter results but disappointed investors with its outlook.
Netflix shares plunged over 9% in extended trading after the company forecast second-quarter earnings below Wall Street estimates, citing higher content-related costs, and maintained full-year guidance that slightly trailed expectations.