U.S. Strikes Iran; Stock Futures Fall, Oil Gains 2.1%

U.S. stock futures declined after the U.S. military confirmed airstrikes on Iranian rocket launchers at Larak Island. In Asia, Japan's Nikkei 225 futures were at 65,530 and Hong Kong's Hang Seng index futures at 25,472, reflecting market unease. For the U.S. market, the Dow is up 2.1% in August, aiming for a fifth consecutive monthly advance. August also saw the tech sector, particularly stocks like Nvidia, Microsoft, and Micron Technology, performing well, with increases of 8%, 11%, and 13%, respectively. This matters for investors as rising tensions can impact market stability and oil prices, which increased by 2.1% to $85.14 per barrel.