Stock Market
Sep 8, U.S. equity index futures traded mixed, with Nasdaq futures edging higher on the back of strength in technology shares.
Notable Stock Movers: NVDA up 0.52%, supported by persistent AI-driven demand for its GPUs; INTC up over 5% after the chipmaker signalled further CPU price hikes; ORCL up 5% on cloud-software optimism; clean-energy player BE up 5.86% following strong order momentum; AMD up 1.40% as investors rotate into high-performance compute plays.
meanwhile AAPL down 0.56% ahead of its highly anticipated product showcase, and TSLA gained 0.29% on steady EV delivery expectations. Chip-foundry leader TSM advanced 1.65%, mirroring modest strength in semiconductor ETFs.
Overall, pre-bell trading shows a split tape: AI-linked semiconductors and selected renewables attract fresh bids, while profit-taking in megacap consumer-tech keeps headline indices restrained. Investors are digesting mixed macro signals and a busy corporate news flow ranging from pricing decisions to forthcoming product releases, setting the stage for a selective rather than broad-based session when the opening bell rings.
Other Markets
• 10-year U.S. Treasury yield rose 0.29%, to 4.80%.
• U.S. Dollar Index rose 0.0435% to 98.96.
• WTI crude oil futures rose 2.40% to 93.68 USD/barrel; COMEX gold futures fell 0.59% to 4 450.20 USD/ounce.
Key News
1. Intel will raise PC-processor prices by roughly 10% and streamline its product lineup. Sources say the chipmaker plans the increases for October and will phase out lower-margin CPUs, aiming to protect profitability as input costs remain elevated and AI server demand reshapes its manufacturing priorities.
2. SpaceX completed its 80th Starlink launch this year and will shift future Florida missions to the fully reusable Starship rocket. Management says retiring the Falcon 9 for Starlink flights in Florida will cut costs and expand payload capacity, supporting the company’s satellite-internet constellation and long-term Mars ambitions.
3. Apple is preparing to unveil a premium iPhone 18 Pro range, including a foldable “Ultra” model, at its upcoming product event. Industry leaks point to AI-enhanced features and new color options, underscoring the company’s strategy to capture high-end demand despite a softer global smartphone market.
4. Hunter Biden plans to launch the “LAPTOP” meme coin on Coinbase’s Base blockchain. The politically themed token, set to debut soon, highlights the continued popularity of celebrity-linked cryptocurrencies, though analysts caution that such coins often face extreme volatility.
5. Yemen’s Houthi movement claimed large-scale missile and drone strikes on Saudi Aramco facilities and military bases. The group said the attacks were retaliation for recent Saudi air operations, raising concerns over energy infrastructure security and contributing to a surge in crude-oil prices.
6. Gulf crude exporters are rerouting shipments to bypass the Strait of Hormuz, keeping 4–5 million barrels per day moving despite conflict risks. Industry trackers report increased ship-to-ship transfers outside the chokepoint, helping stabilize global supply even as regional tensions persist.
7. Analysts estimate Middle-East seaborne crude flows have fallen to about 11 million barrels per day amid conflict-related disruptions. Research firms note flows plunged from prewar levels near 18 million bpd, underpinning Brent prices near $95 and intensifying calls for strategic stockpile monitoring.
8. Micron Technology’s forthcoming fiscal Q4 report is projected to show earnings rebounding sharply. Consensus forecasts point to adjusted EPS near $30.89 and revenue topping $50 billion, reflecting a revival in memory-chip demand after last year’s downturn.
9. Oil benchmarks jumped, with front-month WTI futures climbing over 3% to their highest level since early June. Traders cited escalating Middle-East hostilities and tightening inventories as catalysts, amplifying expectations for robust energy-sector cash flows.
10. Evercore ISI cautioned that prospective IPOs from AI leaders OpenAI and Anthropic could prompt portfolio rebalancing. In a new strategy note, the investment bank argued the AI bull run remains intact but warned that investors may sell underperforming equities to “make room” for high-profile listings, potentially increasing near-term volatility.
Sources: Reuters, Dow Jones, Tiger Newspress, public market data
Disclaimer: For informational purposes only; not investment advice.
