March 10 (Reuters) - U.S. stock index futures ticked up on Tuesday, as investors hoped for a quicker resolution to the Middle East conflict that has led to a spike in energy prices and stoked inflation concerns, following President Donald Trump's comments on the war.
Crude and natural gas prices eased from the worrying $120 per barrel mark after Trump said on Monday that the U.S.-Israeli conflict with Iran could be nearing an end, ahead of his initial estimate of a four-to-five-week timeline.
However, the enthusiasm came with an element of caution as Iran said it would continue its oil blockade through the region, to which Trump promised stronger military retaliation. Energy producers in the Middle East are yet to resume production full-scale and shipping costs are likely to be elevated for a while.
Still, lower energy prices on Tuesday came as a relief to beaten-down travel stocks. Airlines American AAL.O and Delta DAL.O gained over 1% each in premarket trading, while cruise companies Carnival CCL.N and Royal Caribbean RCLH.N were marginally higher.
More: Trump says war will end 'soon' while threatening to hit Iran harder: Updates
