As the U.S. stock market gears up for the day, a mix of geopolitical tensions and corporate moves are influencing investor sentiment. Here’s what you need to keep an eye on before the opening bell.

1. Geopolitical Tensions Weigh on Markets

U.S. stock futures are dipping as the aftermath of the recent military strike on nuclear sites in Iran continues to unfold. Investors seem to be shaking off war fears, but oil prices have crept up slightly by under 1%. The Nasdaq and S&P 500 futures are down by about 0.2%, while the Dow Jones Industrial Average futures have slid 0.3%. On a brighter note, Bitcoin has rebounded from a weekend low of $99,000 to around $101,500.

2. Tesla Unveils Robotaxi Service!

Tesla is making headlines as it officially launches its driverless robotaxi service in Austin, Texas. Shares of Tesla (TSLA) are experiencing a slight uptick of less than 1% in premarket trading. CEO Elon Musk touted this achievement as the "culmination of a decade of hard work." Analyst Dan Ives believes that if the robotaxi service takes off, Tesla's market cap could soar from its current $1 trillion to potentially double by the end of 2026.

3. Northern Trust Stock Soars Amid Merger Buzz

In a surprising twist, shares of Northern Trust (NTRS) jumped nearly 5% in early trading after reports surfaced of merger discussions with Bank of New York Mellon (BK). While Northern Trust’s executives reportedly aren’t keen on pursuing a deal, BNY is considering making a formal offer. BNY's shares, meanwhile, have remained relatively stable.

4. Stellantis Faces Challenges with New Leadership

Stellantis (STLA) is grappling with a leadership shakeup as new CEO Antonio Filosa takes the helm. Unfortunately, this shift comes at a tough time for the automaker, which has seen its stock drop more than 2% in premarket trading, amid a near 30% decline this year. The company has also suspended its annual forecast due to uncertainties stemming from rising U.S. tariffs.

5. Health Insurers Streamlining Processes