NextFin News -
1) Pre-Market Performance
U.S. equity futures were mixed, with pressure concentrated in growth and technology shares. Nasdaq 100 futures traded at 29,270.00, down 178.75 points or 0.61%. S&P 500 futures were at 7,633.00, lower by 10.75 points or 0.14%. Dow Jones futures held slightly positive at 52,453.00, up 28.00 points or 0.05%.
European markets were also mixed as higher energy prices kept risk appetite restrained. The FTSE 100 fell 49.08 points or 0.46% to 10,620.98, after trading between 10,619.36 and 10,688.04. France's CAC 40 edged up 8.72 points or 0.11% to 8,165.39. Germany's DAX slipped 25.71 points or 0.10% to 25,550.74.
In commodities and foreign exchange, crude oil remained the main cross-asset driver. Brent crude traded around $101.10 per barrel, down 0.1% but still above the $100 threshold, while WTI crude traded near $96.24 per barrel, up 0.2%, as supply concerns persisted after renewed tanker attacks near the Strait of Hormuz. Spot gold rose 0.5% to about $4,423.81 per ounce, while December U.S. gold futures gained 0.2% to $4,467.90. The U.S. Dollar Index was little changed around 98.81, staying close to a recent three-week low.
2) Hot News
- Oil shock keeps inflation-sensitive trades under pressure. Brent crude held above $100 after Iran said it attacked ships near the Strait of Hormuz following U.S. tanker strikes, keeping markets focused on the risk of deeper Middle East supply disruptions. Energy strength is supporting oil-linked equities but pressuring broader equity valuations through higher input-cost and rate concerns.
- Gold firms as the dollar stays subdued. Gold rose to roughly $4,423.81 an ounce as a softer dollar outweighed the drag from higher yields. The move underscores demand for defensive assets while investors assess whether energy-driven inflation pressure will spill into broader markets.
- Currency markets remain cautious. The dollar index hovered around 98.81, while the yen's recent rally paused near 153.70 per dollar. Foreign-exchange markets are absorbing the oil shock, higher global yields and renewed central-bank uncertainty without a decisive dollar rebound.
- AI regulation returns to the foreground. OpenAI called for mandatory national AI safety requirements as autonomous-agent risks draw greater scrutiny. The development adds a policy overhang for AI infrastructure and platform stocks already facing valuation sensitivity.
- Antitrust scrutiny intensifies around AI deals. Reports that U.S. regulators are examining Nvidia's licensing arrangement with Groq put renewed attention on "acqui-hire" and licensing structures in AI, with stock-specific implications detailed in the U.S. Stock Focus section below.
3) U.S. Stock Focus
- Apple — iPhone Duo launches at $1,999. Apple unveiled its first foldable smartphone, the iPhone Duo, with a starting price of $1,999. The device features a 7.6-inch inner display and a 5.4-inch outer screen, marking the most significant iPhone form-factor change in years and the first major iPhone launch under CEO John Ternus.
- Nvidia — DOJ examines Groq licensing deal. Nvidia was in focus after reports that the U.S. Justice Department is probing whether its licensing deal with AI chip startup Groq was structured to avoid antitrust review. The reported inquiry adds regulatory risk to one of the market's largest AI beneficiaries at a time when Nasdaq futures are under pressure.
- Oracle — AI-cloud earnings test after the close. Oracle is scheduled to report fiscal first-quarter results after the market close. Consensus expectations cited by market previews call for $1.73 in EPS and $19.13 billion in revenue, with investors focused on cloud backlog conversion, AI infrastructure demand, capital spending and financing needs.
- Adobe — Software investors await AI monetization signals. Adobe also reports after the close, with consensus looking for $6.07 in EPS and $6.69 billion in revenue. The stock remains a key read-through for software sentiment as investors look for proof that generative AI tools are expanding usage and revenue rather than pressuring pricing power.
- AeroVironment — Record first-quarter revenue and backlog. AeroVironment reported fiscal first-quarter revenue of $480.5 million, up 6% year over year, with bookings of $0.7 billion and a book-to-bill ratio of 1.4. Funded backlog reached a record $1.5 billion, up 37% year over year, reinforcing investor focus on defense-drone and counter-drone demand.
- Comcast — Broadband pressure hits shares. Comcast shares fell about 7% after CFO Jason Armstrong warned that aggressive fiber pricing remains "irrational" and said the company does not expect improvement in third-quarter broadband subscriber losses. Consensus was looking for about 89,000 domestic residential broadband net losses in the quarter, while KeyBanc projected a steeper decline of 125,000.
- Dow — Potential exit from $20 billion Saudi venture. Dow is reportedly considering an exit from its $20 billion Sadara Chemical joint venture with Saudi Aramco. Dow owns a 35% stake in the venture, and the review comes as the chemicals sector faces a prolonged downturn and Middle East disruptions complicate supply chains.
- CME Group — Jack Tobin named next CFO. CME Group named insider Jack Tobin as chief financial officer, succeeding Lynne Fitzpatrick as she prepares to become the exchange operator's first female CEO. Tobin will become deputy CFO in November 2026 and take over as CFO in March 2027.
- Robinhood — August metrics due after the close. Robinhood is expected to release August monthly metrics at 4:05 p.m. EDT. The update will be watched for trading activity, crypto engagement and customer-asset trends, particularly after the company expanded further into prediction markets and event-contract products.
- Braze — Beat overshadowed by margin questions. Braze reported $227.2 million in quarterly revenue and $0.19 in adjusted EPS, but shares fell sharply as investors focused on third-quarter profit guidance and the cost of AI and sales investments. Revenue rose 26.2% year over year, while the company generated about $22 million in free cash flow.
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