Pre-Bell | U.S. Futures Rise as AI Deals, Chip Earnings and Automaker Outlooks Shape Pre-Market Scene

01 Stock Market

As of May 8, U.S. stock index futures performed as follows: Dow futures added 0.32%, S&P 500 futures advanced 0.49%, and Nasdaq 100 futures climbed 0.71%, pointing to a constructive start amid active headline flow in technology and industrial names.

Notable Stock Movers: TSLA up 1.17% at $416.60; NVDA up 0.83% at $213.25; memory leader MU up 2.69% at $664.05; wireless-chip specialist QCOM up 6.76% at $216.25; consumer electronics bellwether AAPL up 1.20% at $290.88; CPU designer AMD up 1.50% at $414.60.

Additional movers include Chinese ADRs: search giant BIDU up 4.63% at $146.35 following progress toward an onshore listing for its chip arm, brokerage platform FUTU up 4.89% at $151.97, and foundry heavyweight TSM up 0.40% at $415.81, highlighting stock-specific catalysts rather than broad sector swings.

02 Other Markets

• 10-year U.S. Treasury yield fell 0.45%, to 4.37%.

• U.S. Dollar Index fell 0.26% to 98.00.

• WTI crude oil futures rose 0.26% to 95.06 USD/barrel; COMEX gold futures rose 0.08% to 4714.50 USD/ounce.

03 Key News

1. NVIDIA will invest up to $2.1 billion in data-center operator IREN, expanding capacity for AI infrastructure. The partnership targets up to five gigawatts of power deployment to meet soaring compute demand, lifting IREN shares in pre-market trade.

2. Cloudflare disclosed a 20% workforce reduction and tempered revenue guidance to refocus on AI-driven services. Management expects up to $150 million in restructuring charges but forecasts longer-term efficiency gains.

3. CoreWeave raised the lower end of its capital-expenditure plan to $31 billion as component prices climb. Long-term contracts with major tech clients underpin the spending ramp, although management acknowledged near-term margin pressure.

4. MP Materials beat earnings estimates with first-quarter revenue up 49% to $90.6 million, supported by a U.S. price-protection pact. Adjusted profit reached three cents per share despite higher start-up costs at its magnetics unit.

5. Rocket Lab exceeded revenue forecasts and secured its largest launch contract, boosting confidence in its Electron and forthcoming Neutron vehicles. The company signed 31 new missions and highlighted growing demand for dedicated launches.

6. Toyota forecast a 20% decline in operating profit this fiscal year, citing supply risks linked to Middle East tensions. Robust hybrid demand continues, but management warned that cost volatility could compress margins.

7. TSMC reported April revenue of NT$410.73 billion, a 17.5% annual increase, lifting year-to-date sales by nearly 30%. The results underscore sustained demand for advanced nodes across AI and mobile applications.

8. HawkEye 360 raised $416 million in a NYSE debut that valued the satellite-analytics firm at about $3.15 billion. Proceeds will fund constellation growth and deepen ties with defense and intelligence customers.

9. Baidu’s chip subsidiary Kunlunxin filed for an onshore listing, paving the way for a STAR Market IPO. The move is designed to unlock domestic capital for accelerated AI-chip development and buoyed Baidu ADRs.

10. The U.S. administration invited CEOs from NVIDIA, Apple, Boeing and others to join an upcoming trip to China aimed at facilitating trade discussions. Several executives confirmed receipt of invitations, signaling potential high-level commercial engagements.

Sources: Reuters, Dow Jones, Tiger Newspress, public market data

Disclaimer: For informational purposes only; not investment advice.