US markets today: Dow, S&P 500, Nasdaq futures indicate gap-up open amid mixed global market cues

The Dow Jones futures were trading 0.14% higher at 52,146 points ahead of the opening bell on Tuesday, July 21, indicating a more than 300-point higher opening on Wall Street, as investors were pinning hopes for an overall market recovery.

The exchange data further showed that the S&P 500 index futures were trading 0.34% higher at 7,510 points, potentially indicating a 67-point higher opening when compared to the previous US market close levels.

The tech-heavy Nasdaq 100 futures were trading 1.26% higher at 29,142 points ahead of the opening bell on July 21, indicating a more than 500-point gap-up opening on Tuesday’s trading session.

Investors will also keep a close watch on crude oil prices trading above $91 per barrel (bbl) on Tuesday’s market, along with the escalations between the United States and Iran in West Asia, as continued attacks can potentially risk disrupting global trade.

Key things to watch before US market opens

US market recap

The US stock market benchmark indices ended lower after their trading session on Monday, July 20, as investors focused on the 10th round of US strategic attacks against Iran while reports suggest that the mediators were attempting to negotiate a final peace deal between the two countries.

MarketWatch data showed that the Dow Jones Industrial Average closed 0.59% lower at 51,839.26 points after the trading session on Monday, July 20, compared to 52,146.42 points at the previous US market close.

The S&P 500 index ended 0.19% lower at 7,443.28 points after Monday’s trading session, compared to 7,457.69 points at the previous Wall Street close, according to the exchange data.

In contrast, the tech-heavy Nasdaq 100 index closed flat, near flat levels, 0.04% higher at 28,604.23 points after the trading session on July 21, compared to 28,592.66 points at the previous stock market close.

US stocks to watch on July 21

The companies are among several others which are set to release their April to June quarter earnings for the calendar year 2026 on Tuesday.

Global market snapshot

Global market indices in Asia, like Japan’s Nikkei 225, were up 3.2%, China’s Shanghai Composite was up 1.8%, and South Korea’s KOSPI index was up 3.5% as investors were focused on buying tech and chipmaking stocks at a lower price.

While other European indices like the FTSE 100, DAX, and FTSE MIB were among other indices which were trading in the positive territory on Tuesday’s market session.

Oil prices above $91/bbl

Crude oil prices surged above $91 per barrel (bbl) on Tuesday’s market after fears among global market investors increased of a potential oil supply disruption post the continued attacks from the United States in the region.

Investing.com data showed that Brent crude oil prices surged 2.4% to their intraday high level of $91.40 per bbl on Tuesday’s market, compared to $89.22 per bbl at the previous commodity market close.

The data also showed that energy prices have risen 7.8% in the last five trading sessions and have gained more than 14% in the last one-month period. Although crude oil prices have dropped 2% in the last three months, the energy prices have gained 41% in the last six months.