Markets pause as US-Iran peace talks and inflation data take center stage

U.S. stock futures paused Monday as investors weigh signs of progress in U.S.-Iran peace talks and look ahead to a key inflation report. S&P 500 futures slid about 0.1%, Dow futures were flat, and Nasdaq-100 futures were little changed after the long weekend. Oil prices fell on the news, with Brent around $79 a barrel and WTI near $75. Traders are awaiting the May Personal Consumption Expenditures price index (core PCE) for the Fed’s inflation gauge, as markets debate whether price pressures will keep rates higher for longer following the latest hawkish signals from the Fed.