US Equity Futures Slightly Lower Pre-Bell as Traders Await Developments in US-Iran Talks

07:55 AM EDT, 09/23/2026 (MT Newswires) -- US equity futures were slightly lower pre-bell Wednesday as traders awaited developments in the talks to end the Middle East conflict. Dow Jones Industrial Average futures were 0.3% lower, S&P 500 futures were down 0.1%, and Nasdaq futures were 0.3% lower. President Donald Trump said that US and Iranian officials met for around three hours Tuesday on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly in New York City, describing it as a "very good meeting," multiple media outlets reported. In an address to the UN earlier on Tuesday, Trump had said he had a choice on whether to make a deal with Iran or "annihilate" the Middle Eastern nation. He added that he expected to reach an agreement after the November midterm elections in the US. Oil prices were slightly higher, with front-month global benchmark North Sea Brent crude up 0.9% at $100.14 per barrel and US West Texas Intermediate crude steady at $90.55 per barrel. The September S&P Global Composite Purchasing Managers' Index, due at 9:45 am ET, is seen at 55.3, down from 56.0 previously, according to estimates compiled by Bloomberg. The Atlanta Fed Business Inflation Expectations survey for September is expected at 10 am ET. Federal Reserve Governor Michael Barr is slated to speak later today.