US equity index futures rose in premarket trade after President Trump said talks
between Iran and Oman over the Strait of Hormuz are "progressing." USD index
futures also climbed as markets awaited US nonfarm payrolls and the unemployment
rate later Friday. Siebert Financial CIO Mark Malek said recent moves have been
driven by Iran-related headlines and government commentary, and that Trump’s
remark likely supported the early rally. Malek added that, regardless of
inflation, the unemployed lack spending power and he questions whether the labor
market is as healthy as headline data suggest — a dynamic that could weigh on
growth.
