U.S. stock futures are trading with little change this Friday (24), after a session of strong risk aversion that pressured stocks and cryptocurrencies. While investors follow developments in rising oil prices and the corporate earnings season, S&P 500 futures remain virtually stable, indicating a cautious start to trading on Wall Street.
Before the markets opened, S&P 500 futures were down 0,06%, at 7.440,50 pontos. Dow Jones futures were up 0,03%, to 51.907 pontos, while Nasdaq contracts were down 0,31%, at 28.532,75 pontos. Russell 2000 also posted a decline of 0,25%, at 2.944,30 pontos, signaling a profit-taking move among smaller-cap companies.
The more defensive sentiment was also evident in the volatility index. The VIX was up 12,38%, to 18,70 points, while gold was trading at US$ 4.028,30 per ounce, down 0,54%. In the cryptocurrency market, Bitcoin was quoted at US$ 65.261,77, down 0,55% in the last 24 hours, reflecting the caution seen in global markets.
In Asia, stock markets closed lower. Japan's Nikkei 225 fell 1,2%, while the Topix lost 1%. In South Korea, the Kospi opened down 1,8%, and the Kosdaq fell 2,17%. Meanwhile, Australia's S&P/ASX 200 ended the day with a loss of 0,47%.
Another factor that remains on investors' radar is the behavior of oil. Although Brent futures contracts surpassed US$ 100 per barrel during the previous session for the first time since the end of May, September WTI contracts showed a slight correction this Friday, trading at US$ 92,05, down 0,15%.
On Thursday, oil surged after reports that two Saudi oil tankers were hit in the Red Sea, fueling concerns about the global energy supply.
"Although the current positioning does not guarantee that oil will continue rising, it means the market entered the latest rally in an unfavorable position for a positive surprise," said Adam Turnquist, chief technical strategist at LPL Financial. "And when sentiment and positioning are extremely pessimistic, even a modest deterioration in supply expectations can produce a disproportionate reaction in prices."
In addition to the rise in oil, corporate earnings also weighed on Wall Street. Shares of Tesla plunged nearly 15% after the release of second-quarter results below market expectations, marking their biggest daily drop since March 2025.
Alphabet also pressured the technology sector by raising its full-year investment forecast. The revision led the company's shares to fall about 7%, marking the worst daily performance since May 2025.
With this set of factors, the main U.S. indexes are on track to end the week lower. The more cautious environment also influences the cryptocurrency market, which is tracking the reduced appetite for risk assets amid geopolitical tensions, volatility in the energy market, and investors' reaction to the results of major technology companies.