US stock futures pointed to a mixed open on Tuesday, August 18, 2026, with the Dow Jones Industrial Average edging slightly lower while the Nasdaq 100 saw a more pronounced decline, according to Japanese financial news outlet 株探.
The divergence was driven by weakness in semiconductor shares during extended trading hours, 株探 reports. The report did not specify which chipmakers were under pressure or the magnitude of the moves.
The futures action follows a down session for US equities on Monday, when all three major indexes closed lower. Reuters attributed the previous day's losses to rising Treasury yields, which were pressured by escalating Middle East tensions. The Nikkei noted the Dow fell 116 points, marking a second consecutive daily decline.
Investor sentiment has been clouded by uncertainty over the Middle East situation, which has kept bond yields elevated and weighed on technology stocks in particular, according to market commentary cited by マネクリ. Higher yields tend to reduce the appeal of growth-oriented tech shares, whose valuations rely on future earnings.
A separate preview from Wealth Advisor suggested that US stocks may face continued resistance at higher levels in Tuesday's session, though the firm did not provide specific targets.
The mixed futures signal suggests traders are parsing geopolitical headlines alongside earnings and economic data. With the Middle East situation unresolved and yields staying firm, the tech-heavy Nasdaq 100 may remain the most vulnerable index to further downside pressure.
Investors will be watching whether semiconductor stocks can stabilize during regular trading hours, as their performance has become a key driver of broader market direction in recent sessions.
