US Markets

Dow futures fall 60 points as North Korea concerns cast uncertainty over Wall Street

Key Points
  • U.S. stock futures declined after North Korea conducted its sixth and most powerful nuclear test yet.
  • Investors around the world also increased their exposure to traditional safe-haven assets like gold and the Japanese yen.
  • The news was met with condemnation from across the globe.
Stocks set to open lower on fresh concerns about North Korea
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Stocks set to open lower on fresh concerns about North Korea

U.S. stock index futures pointed to a lower open on Tuesday, as geopolitical concerns surrounding North Korea's relationship with the West amplified jitters in market trading.

Dow Jones industrial average futures declined 60 points, while S&P 500 and Nasdaq 100 futures pulled back 5.5 points and 12 points, respectively.

Geopolitics concerns have resurfaced once again, as markets worldwide were on edge after North Korea conducted its sixth and most powerful nuclear test yet.

The news was met with condemnation from across the globe, with the G-7 releasing a statement on Monday which said that the leaders condemned the new nuclear test by North Korea "in the strongest possible terms", adding that the group expressed its solidarity to nations within the region for the "consequences of Pyongyang's irresponsible behavior".

A trader on the floor of the New York Stock Exchange.
Brendan McDermid | Reuters

Meanwhile in the States, the White House stated on Monday that "all options to address the North Korean threat are on the table," while the United Nation's U.S. Ambassador Nikki Haley appealed to the U.N. Security Council to enforce the "strongest possible" sanctions, according to Reuters.

The U.S. stock market was closed on Monday because of the Labor Day holiday, but futures fell along with global equities markets. The Stoxx 600 index, which tracks a broad swath of European equities, fell 0.52 percent on Monday, while the Japanese Nikkei 225 declined 0.9 percent. On Tuesday, the Stoxx 600 index rose marginally while the Nikkei pulled back another 0.6 percent.

Investors around the world also increased their exposure to traditional safe-haven assets like gold and the Japanese yen. Gold futures for December delivery rose 0.4 percent to $1,335.90 per ounce, around a one-year high. The yen gained 0.39 percent against the dollar to 109.29.

But optimism from the M&A space helped keep investor sentiment in check. On Monday, United Technologies said it had agreed to buy aircraft parts manufacturer Rockwell Collins for $30 billion, including debt.

Elsewhere, two leading members from the U.S. central bank are set to deliver remarks independently.

Minneapolis Fed President Neel Kashkari will be speaking at the Carlson School of Management in Minneapolis. Meanwhile, the Dallas Business Club will host a conversation with Dallas Fed President Robert Kaplan in the late afternoon in Dallas.

Fed Gov. Lael Brainard spoke earlier on Tuesday, saying the central bank should be cautious about raising interest rates while inflation levels remain low.

The Fed expects to raise rates once more this year, but market participants are not so convinced. Market expectations for a December rate hike are just 42 percent, according to the CME Group's FedWatch tool.

Speaking of data, factory orders are set to be released at 10 a.m. ET.

The repercussions of Hurricane Harvey continue to leave its mark on markets, with investors wondering how much damage the natural disaster will have on the energy sector.

Oil prices ticked higher on Tuesday, with U.S. crude trading around $48.10 per barrel at 8:19 a.m. ET, while Brent was last standing at around $52.76.

Overseas, European stocks were trading higher, while markets in Asia closed on a relatively mixed to positive note.

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