Stocks Point Higher After Breaking 5-Week Losing Streak

U.S. stock index futures pointed to a mostly modestly higher open on Monday after major indexes snapped a five-week losing streak. Investors are also looking ahead to renewed tensions in the Middle East, a busy week of corporate earnings, and key inflation and Federal Reserve data.

Stocks set for higher open after five-week losing streak

Futures tied to the Dow Jones Industrial Average were recently down 0.2%, while those linked to the S&P 500 and the Nasdaq 100 were up 0.1% and 0.3%, respectively.

Crude oil futures were lower after ending last week above $111 a barrel, the highest level since the start of the Iran war and the highest since June 2022. Gold futures were up about 1% to $4,720 an ounce, while the 10-year Treasury yield rose to 4.36% from last week’s close of 4.32%.

Bitcoin was trading near $70,000 after rallying over the weekend, rising from last week’s close below $67,000.

Trump sets deadline for Strait of Hormuz reopening

Developments in the Iran conflict remained a focus. President Donald Trump placed a Tuesday night deadline on the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz, saying Iran needs to open the shipping route or it will be “living in Hell,” and that the U.S. would attack bridges and power plants otherwise.

Reports early Monday said the U.S. and Iran have been presented with a proposal from Egyptian, Pakistani and Turkish officials. The proposal reportedly includes a 45-day ceasefire and reopening the Strait while peace talks take place. Trump also said he will take part in a press conference at 1 p.m. ET today with military officials.

Earnings and inflation data headline the week

Investors face a packed schedule of corporate results and economic indicators. Delta Air Lines (DAL) and Constellation Brands (STZ) headline the start of the first-quarter earnings season.

On the data front, the Personal Consumption Expenditures index for February and the Consumer Price Index report for March are due out Thursday and Friday, respectively. Minutes from the March Federal Reserve meeting are scheduled for release Wednesday, with investors seeking clues about the Fed’s outlook for the rest of the year.

Bitcoin rally lifts crypto-related stocks

Following the weekend rally that pushed bitcoin to just under $70,000, several cryptocurrency-related stocks rose in premarket trading. Robinhood (HOOD) was up 2.5% and Coinbase (COIN) gained 4%. Mara Holdings (MARA) rose 3%, while Strategy (MSTR) increased 4%.

The article noted that bitcoin has had a difficult stretch in 2026, down from its start-of-year level of about $87,500 and below the record highs of around $125,000 reached last October.

Paramount Skydance nears funding for Warner Bros. Discovery deal

Paramount Skydance (PSKY) is nearing commitments of around $24 billion from sovereign wealth funds in Saudi Arabia, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates to help fund its acquisition of Warner Bros. Discovery (WBD), according to The Wall Street Journal.

The report said the three funds are not expected to have voting rights in the new company. It also said Paramount Skydance officials do not expect the investments to trigger federal government reviews because the stakes would not be large enough. Shares of Paramount Skydance and Warner Bros. Discovery were little changed early Monday.