US markets today: Dow, S&P 500, Nasdaq futures indicate mixed open; Nvidia, Salesforce earnings in focus

Investing.com data showed that Dow Jones futures were trading 0.04% lower at 53,665 points ahead of the opening bell on Wednesday, indicating an 88-point higher opening in comparison to the previous Wall Street close.

The exchange data also showed that the S&P 500 index futures were trading 0.12% lower at 7,683 points ahead of the opening bell on August 26, indicating a flat but positive open on Monday’s market.

The tech-heavy Nasdaq 100 futures declined 0.28% to 29,194 points lower ahead of the trading session on Wednesday’s market, indicating a marginally lower opening when compared to the previous US equity market close levels.

Key things to watch before US market opens

US PCE data in focus

The US Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) is set to release the July 2026 Personal Consumption Expenditures (PCE) data for the American economy at around 8:30 am (ET) on Wednesday, August 26.

The key economic data shows the changes in the price of goods and services purchased by consumers and the changes in consumer behaviour in the United States, according to the official department website.

As per the economic calendar, the department is also set to release the second GDP growth estimate for the US economy today.

Investors are also looking forward to the upcoming Jackson Hole Economic Policy Symposium 2026 event, which is set to be held on Thursday, August 26, 2026.

US markets recap of August 25

US benchmark equity indices ended on a positive note after the trading session on Tuesday, August 25, as investors focused on declining oil prices and positive buying cues from the Asian markets ahead of key earnings.

The Dow Jones Industrial Average ended 0.30% higher at 53,577.40 points after the trading session on Tuesday, in comparison to 53,417.16 points at the previous equity market close, as per MarketWatch data.

The exchange data showed that the S&P 500 index closed 0.32% higher at 7,677.28 points after the trading session on August 26, in comparison to 7,652.86 points at the previous equity market close.

The tech-heavy Nasdaq 100 index ended 0.64% higher at 29,209.23 points after the trading session on Tuesday, compared to 29,023.18 points at the previous Wall Street close.

US stocks to watch on August 26

The company is set to release its April to June quarter earnings during the post-market hours on Wednesday, August 26, 2026.

Crude oil drops 9%

Global crude oil prices have declined 9% over the last three days, dropping to $84.59 per barrel (bbl) during Wednesday’s commodity market session, in comparison to $92.67 per bbl level as of the stock market close on August 21.

Investing.com data showed that Brent crude oil prices were trading 2% lower at $85.49 per bbl, compared to $87.27 per bbl at the previous commodity market close.

The benchmark crude oil prices declined against the backdrop of Iran and Oman proposing a joint scheme to set up a temporary shipping pathway and launch a demining effort at the Strait of Hormuz. However, the deal is yet to be finalised.

The key focus of investors also remained on America’s campaign to tighten sanctions on Iran over aviation, cryptocurrency, gold, shipping, and technology sectors.