5 Things to Know Before the Stock Market Opens

Stock futures are lower on the final day of a volatile week of trading, as investors await the latest jobs report and keep close tabs on the war in the Middle East; Oil futures are surging once again over concerns about possible supply disruptions; the jobs report is expected to show that employment growth slowed in February from the previous month; global shipping giant Maersk said Friday it would temporarily close two shipping lanes in the Middle East; and shares of Marvell Technology are jumping after the chipmaker's quarterly results and outlook topped Wall Street expectations. Here's what you need to know today.

Stock Futures Slide as Volatile Week Nears End

Stock futures are lower this morning as investors await the release of the February jobs report, while oil prices continue soaring amid concerns about the impact of the war in Iran. (see more below) Futures tied to the Dow Jones Industrial Average and S&P 500 were down 0.6% recently, while Nasdaq futures fell 0.8%. All three major indexes finished lower on Thursday with the Dow tumbling nearly 800 points. Major stock indexes have swung wildly this week as investors have assessed the potential economic implications of the escalating armed conflict in the Middle East. Bitcoin is losing ground for the second straight day, trading at just below $70,000, down from a high of $74,000 earlier this week. Gold futures are little-changed at around $5,100 an ounce, as the safe haven asset looks to shake off its own recent volatility. The yield on the 10-year Treasury note, which affects interest rates on a wide range of consumer loans, was at 4.17%, up from 4.15% yesterday and 3.96% before Israel and the U.S. attacked Iran last weekend.

Oil Prices Jump to Near 2-Year High

WTI futures, the U.S. crude oil benchmark, surged past $86 a barrel this morning, hitting their highest level since April 2024, amid growing concerns that the widening conflict in the Middle East could cause a supply shock. Qatar energy minister Saad al-Kaabi said that the U.S. and Israel's attacks on Iran and the country's retaliatory attacks across the Middle East could halt oil and gas shipments out of the region "within days," The Financial Times reported. Oil prices have risen more than 25% this week as investors assess the impact of the war on the global supply chain. The Joint Maritime Information Center said Friday that shipping through the Strait of Hormuz—through which about a fifth of the world's oil and liquefied natural gas typically moves on its way from producing states of the Arabian peninsula to importers—has slowed to a "near complete halt," per Bloomberg. Oil prices are on track for their biggest weekly gain since early 2022 when Russia invaded Ukraine.

Jobs Report Due Out This Morning

Aside from the volatility over the war in Iran, the jobs report due out at 8:30 a.m. ET could also move markets on Friday. Economists project that the report from the Bureau of Labor Statistics will show that U.S. employers added about 50,000 jobs in February, down from a higher-than-expected 130,000 jobs in January. The unemployment rate is expected to hold steady at 4.3%, staying at its lowest level since last August, as the economy remains in a "low-hire, low-fire" mode. The jobs numbers are always a key factor in the Federal Reserve's thinking on interest rates. Fed officials will also be evaluating the impact of developments in the Middle East, amid concerns that rising oil prices could spur inflation and weigh on economic activity.

Maersk Closes Pair of Shipping Lanes as War Impact Widens

Maersk, a Danish shipping giant whose business is considered a bellwether for global trade, said Friday that it is closing two shipping lanes due to the growing conflict in the Middle East. The company said it is temporarily halting shipments along its FM1 Service route, which moves goods from the Far East to Middle East, and its ME11 route, from the Middle East to Europe. "This decision has been taken as a precautionary measure to ensure the safety of our personnel and vessels while minimizing operational disruption across our wider network," the company said.

Marvell Technology Stock Pops on Solid Results

Shares of Marvell Technology (MRVL) are surging Friday morning, a day after the chipmaker posted better-than-expected fiscal 2026 fourth-quarter results and issued a bullish outlook for the current quarter. Revenue came in at a record $2.22 billion, while adjusted earnings per share were $0.80, each above the analyst consensus compiled by Visible Alpha. Marvell shares had been under pressure so far in 2026 as the AI trade that powered many tech stocks higher in recent years has grown less certain amid questions about overvaluation and the sustainability of the sector's finances. Marvell shares were up 12% in recent premarket trading.

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