01 Stock Market
As of May 18, U.S. stock index futures performed as follows: Dow Jones contracts slipped 0.35%, S&P 500 futures eased 0.20%, and Nasdaq 100 futures edged down 0.12%, signalling a guarded open as traders weigh company-specific catalysts against macro and geopolitical cross-currents.
Notable Stock Movers: Memory leader MU up 1.68% at $736.80; AI-chip heavyweight NVDA up 1.19% at $228.00; photonics developer POET up 8% at $17.25 after new financing; tech holding vehicle DXYZ up 11.02% at $52.87; electric-vehicle maker LI fell 9.40% at $16.77 amid demand concerns.
Overall, pre-bell flows show selective buying in semiconductors and space-technology names, while parts of the EV segment retreat. Investors appear to be positioning around capital-raising news, portfolio-shift disclosures and earnings surprises, keeping index futures subdued even as pockets of momentum emerge.
02 Other Markets
• 10-year U.S. Treasury yield fell 0.08%, to 4.59%.
• U.S. Dollar Index fell 0.16% to 99.11.
• WTI crude oil futures fell 0.07% to 100.95 USD/barrel; COMEX gold futures fell 0.15% to 4555.10 USD/ounce.
03 Key News
1. Hims & Hers unveiled a USD 300 million convertible note offering, sending its shares lower in early trade. The eight-year notes, with a USD 45 million upsize option, will fund global expansion, an acquisition and AI investments, while capped-call hedges aim to limit dilution risk.
2. Anglo American agreed to sell Australian steelmaking-coal mines for up to USD 3.88 billion. The cash-plus-contingent deal with Dhilmar will reduce debt and streamline the portfolio as Anglo advances a merger plan with Teck Resources.
3. Baidu exceeded first-quarter revenue expectations with RMB 32.1 billion, lifting its U.S.-listed shares pre-market. Cloud-service strength offset softer advertising, highlighting the Chinese tech group’s diversification progress.
4. POET Technologies arranged a USD 400 million premium-priced direct offering and overhauled senior management. Funds will expand production and accelerate AI-oriented R&D, while a newly appointed COO steps in as the veteran CFO prepares to retire.
5. Berkshire Hathaway disclosed a USD 2.6 billion stake in Delta Air Lines and initiated a position in Macy’s. The filing also showed reduced exposure to Chevron and complete exits from several large tech holdings, reflecting ongoing portfolio rotation.
6. Tesla increased U.S. prices on higher-end Model Y trims by up to USD 1,000 to bolster margins. The move comes amid moderating national EV demand and precedes the company’s pivot toward large-scale robo-taxi production.
7. SpaceX selected Nasdaq for a potential mid-June IPO that could value the company near USD 2 trillion. The listing would grant public investors access to the rapidly expanding launch and satellite operator at a record valuation.
8. Recent financial disclosures show former President Donald Trump purchased multi-million-dollar stakes in Boeing and Nvidia. The filings reveal more than 3,000 trades as the former U.S. leader positions for gains in aerospace and semiconductors.
9. A drone strike on a UAE nuclear plant heightened Middle East tensions, pushing crude prices toward two-week highs. Regional authorities pledged retaliation, raising concerns over potential disruptions to energy infrastructure and supply.
10. Binance Research reported that on-chain metrics point to easing Bitcoin sell pressure as over 60% of addresses hold for longer than a year. The shift toward long-term holding suggests reduced speculative supply and may contribute to price stabilization in digital-asset markets.
Sources: Reuters, Dow Jones, Tiger Newspress, public market data
Disclaimer: For informational purposes only; not investment advice.
