08:50 AM EDT, 07/21/2026 (MT Newswires) -- (Updates with economic data, recent oil price movement, world markets' overview and corporate stock movements.)

US equity futures were higher pre-bell Tuesday as traders digested new efforts by mediators to put peace talks between the US and Iran back on track.

Dow Jones Industrial Average futures were 0.3% higher, S&P 500 futures were up 0.4%, and Nasdaq futures were 1.3% higher.

The US Central Command said it completed another round of attacks against Iran on Monday evening, as news reports said Tuesday that Iran-backed Houthis in Yemen are planning a naval blockade on Saudi Arabia.

Mediators are proposing a 10-day ceasefire between the two nations, giving hope that hostilities may de-escalate. Iranian Interior Minister Eskandar Momeni has asked Pakistan to resume its mediation role in the conflict and traveled to Islamabad for further discussions, according to a Reuters report.

Traders took note of the latest round of earnings, with Novartis ( NVS ) reporting lower core earnings and higher net sales for Q2.

Interactive Brokers Group ( IBKR ) is expected to report its Q2 financial results after the market closes. Analysts polled by FactSet expect adjusted earnings of $0.64 per share and revenue of $1.8 billion.

Oil prices were higher, with front-month global benchmark North Sea Brent crude up 1.8% at $90.83 per barrel and US West Texas Intermediate crude 1.8% higher at $83.97 per barrel.

The economic calendar is vacant.

In other world markets, Japan's Nikkei closed 3.3% higher, Hong Kong's Hang Seng ended flat, and China's Shanghai Composite finished 1.8% higher. Meanwhile, the UK's FTSE 100 was up 0.1%, and Germany's DAX index was 0.1% higher in Europe's early afternoon session.

In equities, Micron Technology ( MU ) and SK Hynix ( SKHY ) stocks were up 5.6% and 5.4%, respectively, as part of a broader rebound in technology-related stocks. Novartis ( NVS ) shares rose 3.2% after the company reported Q2 core earnings and net sales that surpassed analysts' consensus estimates. 3M ( MMM ) stock was up 6% after the company posted a Q2 beat for adjusted earnings and revenue, as well as raised its fiscal 2026 adjusted earnings outlook.

On the losing side, Charles Schwab ( SCHW ) stock was down 1.3% despite the company's Q2 adjusted earnings and net revenue exceeding analysts' estimates. Danaher ( DHR ) shares dropped 13% despite the company reporting Q2 earnings and revenue above expectations, and raising its 2026 earnings guidance.