What Happened Today, Thursday September 24, 2026, 5:00 PM ET close
Stocks Edge Lower as Iran Tensions Keep Investors Cautious
The S&P 500 slipped 0.17% and the Nasdaq 100 fell 0.09% as the Senate rejected a bid to limit Iran war powers and Hormuz talks stayed in focus.
ES and NQ at the close
NQ, Nasdaq 100 futures
30,736.25
-0.09% on the day
Day range 30,370.00 to 30,827.50
ES, S&P 500 futures
7,759.50
-0.17% on the day
Day range 7,707.25 to 7,783.50
How did our Futures Trading Algo Do Today?
Discipline
No setup, no trade. Staying flat is a position too.
Our automated paper book stayed flat today on both NQ and ES. No setups met our entry rules during a quiet, headline-driven session, so no strategies fired and the net result was $0. Skipping low-quality conditions is part of the plan, and we will wait for a cleaner setup.
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SPY and QQQ
The story
US stocks ended a quiet Thursday slightly lower as investors kept their eyes on the US-Iran conflict. The S&P 500 slipped about 0.17%, the Nasdaq 100 lost about 0.09%, and the Dow also finished marginally weaker in a low-conviction session. The Senate rejected a resolution that would have limited the president's Iran war powers, while reports of talks on a phased deal to reopen the Strait of Hormuz gave traders something to hope for. Markets moved in a narrow range as investors waited for clearer news.
The MAG7 and the megacaps
The big technology names moved little today, and the Nasdaq 100 held up a bit better than the broader S&P 500, losing only about 0.09%. With no company specific news in today's headlines, the giant tech stocks mostly followed the overall market and geopolitical mood rather than leading it.
After the bell
Senate rejects Iran war powers limit
The US Senate voted down a Democratic-led resolution that would have curbed the president's war powers on Iran. The vote keeps the current approach in place and kept investors focused on the conflict.
Talks on a phased Hormuz deal
Sources said the US and Iran are discussing a phased agreement to reopen the Strait of Hormuz and end the US blockade. Any progress could ease worries about shipping and energy supplies.
New US sanctions on Iranian flights
Fresh US sanctions shut down Iranian flights, adding to economic pressure on Iran and keeping tensions elevated.
UN countries push to reopen Hormuz
At the United Nations, 80 countries demanded the reopening of Hormuz and condemned Iran and Houthi attacks, showing wide international concern over the waterway.
Crypto
Bitcoin was nearly unchanged, closing around $84,406, up about 0.03%. It traded between roughly $82,990 and $84,820 during the day, a wider swing than the final result suggests. Crypto largely shrugged off the geopolitical news while stocks drifted lower.
Into the night
Overnight trading in Nasdaq 100 futures ranged from a low near 30,370 to a high near 30,828, closing at 30,736. S&P 500 futures traded between about 7,707 and 7,784 and finished near 7,760. Traders will watch for any new Iran and Hormuz headlines that could move futures before the open.
What is coming next
Nasdaq 100 support
30,370
Today's low and the level bulls want to defend
Nasdaq 100 resistance
30,828
Today's high, a key ceiling to clear
S&P 500 support
7,707
Today's low for the broad market
S&P 500 resistance
7,784
Today's high to watch on any rebound
Markets are likely to keep reacting to Iran and Hormuz headlines. A concrete deal to reopen the strait could lift stocks, while a breakdown in talks could bring more caution. This is educational information, not financial advice.
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Educational market recap, not financial advice. Futures and options trading carry substantial risk of loss. Prices reflect the 2026-09-24 session close; charts are live and interactive. Always verify before acting.