08:19 AM EDT, 03/24/2026 (MT Newswires) -- US equity futures were lower pre-bell Tuesday as traders stayed on the sidelines amid the latest developments in the US-Iran conflict.

Dow Jones Industrial Average futures were down 0.5%, S&P 500 futures were 0.4% lower, and Nasdaq futures were also down 0.4%.

President Donald Trump said Monday in a Truth Social post that the US and Iran have held "very good and productive conversations regarding a complete and total resolution" of the Middle East conflict. Tehran, however, denied that any talks had taken place, according to media reports.

Oil prices were higher, with front-month global benchmark North Sea Brent crude up 2.8% at $98.49 per barrel and US West Texas Intermediate crude 3.2% higher at $90.96 per barrel.

The Q4 nonfarm productivity report, scheduled for release at 8:30 am ET, is expected to show an annual gain of 1.8% after a 2.8% increase in the prior quarter. Unit labor costs are projected to rise 3.6%, compared with 2.8% previously, according to estimates compiled by Bloomberg.

The March S&P Global Composite Purchasing Managers' Index, due at 9:45 am ET, is seen coming in at 51.9.