U.S. stock-index futures pointed lower before Tuesday’s open, led by a sharp drop in Nasdaq futures after a tech selloff spread from Wall Street to Asia. Oil prices also eased after reports that the U.S. temporarily waived sanctions on Iranian oil exports.

U.S. stock-index futures pointed lower on Tuesday, June 23, with Nasdaq futures leading the decline as a tech selloff that started in U.S. trading spread into Asia and into premarket trading before the opening bell.

MarketWatch said major U.S. indexes were set to open lower, with Nasdaq futures around 3% down about an hour before the bell. Investopedia reported S&P 500 futures down 1.2% and Nasdaq futures down 2.6% before the open.

The move extended a broad retreat in technology and semiconductor shares. Earlier losses in the U.S. spilled into Asian trading, where South Korea’s Kospi fell about 10% and Samsung Electronics and SK Hynix each dropped about 12%, according to MarketWatch reporting.

Why futures are weaker

The selloff has raised questions about whether the recent AI-led rally is losing momentum. The pressure has been concentrated in megacap tech and chips, but traders will be watching whether the weakness broadens into other parts of the market after the cash open.

At the same time, oil prices fell after reports that the U.S. temporarily waived sanctions on Iranian oil exports for 60 days while diplomacy continued. MarketWatch and Guardian live coverage said the move helped ease energy-market pressure.

Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent was reported to have confirmed the pause after talks in Switzerland, and U.S. Vice President JD Vance said the discussions laid a very good foundation for a successful final deal, according to Guardian coverage. Qatar and Pakistan were also reported to be involved in a 60-day roadmap toward a final peace deal.

What to watch at the open

The first test is whether the futures losses carry into cash trading in the S&P 500, Nasdaq Composite and Dow. Investors will also be watching whether the decline stays focused on technology and semiconductors or spreads to cyclicals and defensive groups.

Oil futures and Treasury yields are another key watchpoint, along with any official Treasury or White House language clarifying the scope of the Iran sanctions waiver.

Revision note

Initial automated publication.