Dow futures plunge on Friday: 5 things to know before market opens

• Oil prices turned higher after initial declines, while gold rose 0.3% to $4,662.51 per ounce and silver dropped 1.7% to $71.62 per ounce, reflecting ongoing commodity volatility
• Treasury yields climbed with the 10-year yield rising 1.7 basis points to 4.3% and the 2-year yield increasing 3 basis points to 3.87% as investors assessed Middle East crisis impacts
• Asian markets were mostly negative with Hong Kong's Hang Seng down 1% and Shanghai falling 1.2%, while European markets showed strength with the Stoxx 600 up 0.9% and Germany's DAX gaining 1.4%

Market Summary: Dow Futures Plunge Amid Geopolitical Tensions

Market Overview:

U.S. stock futures declined sharply Friday morning, with Dow futures dropping approximately 200 points. S&P 500 and Nasdaq 100 futures also traded lower as risk-off sentiment dominated markets.

Key Drivers:

The selloff stems from escalating Middle East tensions involving the U.S., Israel, and Iran, coupled with hawkish Federal Reserve positioning. Oil price volatility continues to shape investor sentiment, with crude initially dipping before turning higher during Friday's session.

Commodity Movements:

• Gold rebounded 0.3% to $4,662.51 per ounce
• Silver declined 1.7% to $71.62 per ounce
• Oil prices remained choppy but trended higher

Treasury Markets:

Yields ticked up as investors assessed Middle East crisis impacts:

• 10-year Treasury yield: 4.30% (+1.7 basis points)
• 2-year yield: 3.87% (+3 basis points)
• 30-year yield: 4.87% (+1 basis point)

Corporate News:

McCormick and Unilever are in M&A discussions, potentially combining brands like Marmite, Colman's, and Cholula hot sauce. No certainty exists that a deal will materialize. The move aligns with Unilever's strategic shift toward higher-growth beauty and personal care segments.

Global Markets:

Asian markets showed mixed performance: Hong Kong's Hang Seng fell 1%, Shanghai dropped 1.2%, and Australia's ASX 200 lost 0.8%. South Korea's Kospi (+0.3%) and India's Sensex (+0.4%) posted gains.

European markets demonstrated resilience with the Stoxx 600 up 0.9%, Germany's DAX rising 1.4%, France's CAC 40 gaining 0.9%, and London's FTSE 100 adding 0.6%. European central banks maintained unchanged interest rates while citing Iranian conflict uncertainty.