U.S. futures are mixed with a cautious tone, as modest strength in the technology sector is offset by broader market weakness driven by rising oil prices. The increase in crude is linked to recent U.S.-Iran exchanges in the Strait of Hormuz, keeping investors on edge.

Stocks to Watch:

  • NVIDIA Corporation: Remained resilient, rising after announcing a $13 billion acquisition of AI platform Hugging Face.

  • Tesla, Inc.: Shares fell after its Cybercab launch disappointed investors and the company faced a safety audit.

  • Novartis AG: The company's pelacarsen Phase III trial failed to reduce cardiovascular events, impacting its pharmaceutical outlook.

Looking ahead, with no major U.S. economic data scheduled, market direction will likely be influenced by geopolitical developments, oil price fluctuations, and any significant corporate headlines.