Stock futures are little changed after Monday’s relief rally; traders eye latest developments in Iran: Live updates

Traders work on the floor at the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) in New York City, U.S., March 23, 2026.

Brendan McDermid | Reuters

U.S. stock futures were slightly higher on Monday night after the major averages staged a comeback, fueled by traders’ hopes that a resolution may be in sight for the U.S.-Iran conflict.

S&P 500 futures advanced 0.1%, while Nasdaq 100 futures rose 0.2%. Futures tied to the Dow Jones Industrial Average added 63 points, or 0.1%.

In Monday’s regular session, the S&P 500 climbed 1.15%, while the tech-heavy Nasdaq rose 1.38%. The 30-stock Dow popped 631 points, or 1.38%. All three major averages posted their best session since early February.

The gains came after President Donald Trump said in a Truth Social post that the U.S. and Iran have held “very good and productive conversations regarding a complete and total resolution of our hostilities in the Middle East.” Iranian state media reported that there were no direct talks between the two countries, however. Stocks surged, with the Dow up more than 1,100 points on the day at one point.

Oil prices also cooled, lending the market rally further support. West Texas Intermediate futures settled down about 10.3% at $88.13 per barrel, and Brent futures slid nearly 11% to $99.94 a barrel.

Over the weekend, the president had threatened an attack on Iranian power plants if the Strait of Hormuz wasn’t reopened, while Iran in turn said that it would target U.S. infrastructure as a retaliatory tactic.

Despite the optimistic tone of Trump’s Monday comments, Citi U.S. equity strategist Scott Chronert doesn’t believe that investors are out of the woods just yet.

“We still have a lot of wood to chop in terms of where oil prices end up shaking out; how those impact underlying economic conditions. So we think we’re okay for right now with this down 5% to 10% narrative, but we have to be on the lookout that the risks are still out there and are still pretty notable,” he said on CNBC’s “Closing Bell: Overtime” on Monday afternoon.

On Tuesday morning, traders will watch out for data on the U.S. manufacturing Purchasing Managers’ Index.

Apollo gives investors just 45% of requested withdrawals from private credit fund

Asset manager Apollo told investors in its private credit fund that it will limit withdrawals this quarter to just 45%.

Apollo Debt Solutions BDC said that it received redemption requests equivalent to about 11% of shares outstanding in the first quarter, according to a filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. This tops the 5% quarterly cap the fund permits.

Shares of Apollo were last down more than 2% in extended trading.

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Apollo shares in the past day

All 11 GICS sectors end Monday’s session higher

All 11 of the GICS sectors ended Monday’s trading session higher.

The consumer discretionary sector, up 2.46%, led the gains. Materials and information technology stocks followed suit, respectively ending 1.49% and 1.46% higher.

On the other hand, the health care sector was the laggard, eking out a gain of 0.03%.

— Lisa Kailai Han

Estée Lauder confirms talks with Puig on potential merger

Shares of Estée Lauder were last less than 1% higher in Monday’s extended trading hours after the beauty company confirmed that it was in discussions with Puig about a potential merger.

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EL 5D chart

Estée Lauder’s confirmation of the talks comes followed a report by The Wall Street Journal earlier on Monday. Shares of Estée Lauder sank nearly 8% in Monday’s session.

Estée Lauder said in its press release that as of this time, no final decision has been made, and no agreement has been reached.

Puig, which is Barcelona-based and still family-controlled, operates brands such as Charlotte Tilbury and Carolina Herrera.

— Lisa Kailai Han