US Futures Slip as Iran Tensions Rise and Markets Await Key Economic Data

US equity futures for the S&P 500 and Nasdaq edged lower on Wednesday as investors weighed escalating geopolitical risks involving Iran. Market sentiment was further pressured by a heavy schedule of upcoming economic releases, including US GDP and the Federal Reserve's preferred inflation gauge, the Core PCE. Gold prices surged to record levels above $5,000 per ounce, reflecting a flight to safety, while Brent crude retreated toward $71 per barrel. In corporate news, Akamai Technologies saw its shares tumble 11% following a disappointing earnings outlook for the upcoming year. Traders remain cautious as they navigate a deluge of macroeconomic data that could influence the Fed's future interest rate path. Major technology stocks, including Nvidia and Alphabet, also remain under scrutiny ahead of these critical data points.