U.S. stock futures are ticking lower as investors monitor developments in the Middle East following the U.S. attack on Iran; Tesla (TSLA) launches its robotaxi service; Northern Trust (NTRS) shares are rising on a report that Bank of New York Mellon (BK) approached the Chicago-based firm about merging; Stellantis (STLA) shares are slipping as its new CEO announces leadership changes; and major U.S. health insurers announce they are simplifying the prior authorization process. Here’s what investors need to know today.
1. US Stock Futures Tick Lower Following US Attack on Iran
U.S. stock futures are ticking lower as investors mostly brush off war worries after the U.S. struck nuclear sites in Iran over the weekend. Oil futures are higher by less than 1% after the attack. Nasdaq and S&P 500 futures are 0.2% lower after the indexes notched modest losses Friday. Dow Jones Industrial Average futures are down 0.3% after the blue-chip index eked out a gain to end last week. Bitcoin (BTCUSD), which dropped to $99,000 over the weekend, is up 2.5% to about $101,500. Gold futures and the 10-year Treasury note yield are little changed.
2. Tesla Launches Robotaxi Service
Tesla (TSLA) shares are rising less than 1% in premarket trading after the electric vehicle maker on Sunday launched its driverless robotaxi service in Austin, Texas. In a post on his X platform, CEO Elon Musk said the launch was the “culmination of a decade of hard work.” Dan Ives of Wedbush wrote Friday that Tesla’s market capitalization, currently hovering just over $1 trillion, could start down the road to doubling in value by the end of 2026 if the robotaxi launch went well.
3. Northern Trust Stock Jumps on Report of Merger Talks With BNY
Shares of Chicago-based financial services firm Northern Trust (NTRS) are up nearly 5% in premarket trading on a report that Bank of New York Mellon, or BNY (BK), is in discussions to acquire its smaller rival. The Wall Street Journal reported that the chief executives of BNY and Northern Trust had at least one conversation regarding a merger. While the Journal said that Northern Trust had no interest in pursuing a deal, BNY is considering presenting Northern Trust with a formal bid. BNY shares are little changed.
4. Stellantis Stock Slips as New CEO Takes Over Struggling Automaker
Stellantis (STLA) shares are falling more than 2% in premarket trading as its new CEO Antonio Filosa took over the role today and named a new leadership team for the struggling “Big Three” automaker. The leadership change comes as the Jeep and Chrysler parent navigates a drop in sales and pressure from U.S. tariffs. The company suspended its full-year outlook over uncertainties created by the import taxes. Stellantis shares entered Monday trading down nearly 30% this year.
5. Health Insurers to Streamline Prior Authorizations
Major U.S. insurers said they would speed up and simplify the prior authorization process. Health insurance trade association AHIP said the changes would be implemented across insurance markets, including commercial coverage, Medicaid managed care, and Medicare Advantage plans, and benefit 257 million Americans. The changes would affect patients covered by insurance providers that include CVS Health (CVS), UnitedHealth Group’s (UNH) UnitedHealthcare, Cigna (CI), and Humana (HUM). The move comes after the murder of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson last December brought attention to the prior authorization process.
