Finance1 min read

US stock futures rise as AI stocks catch their breath; midterms in focus

By · Published by Everything Blog

In short

U.S. contracts moved higher on Monday, led by a 0.74% rise in Nasdaq 100 futures alongside premarket gains in Alphabet and SpaceX. Technology shares are attempting to steady after the tech-heavy Nasdaq-100 lost over $2.5 trillion in market value last month over artificial intelligence financing concerns, including reports of reduced funding targets for OpenAI. Oil prices tumbled over 4% amid talks between Iranian and Qatari officials, providing additional relief to broader markets. At the same time, traders are closely tracking the upcoming midterm elections, where Democrats are widely projected to take control of the House of Representatives.

Key points

  • The tech sector is attempting to recover from a monthly loss exceeding $2.5 trillion tied…: The tech sector is attempting to recover from a monthly loss exceeding $2.5 trillion tied to artificial intelligence debt concerns.
  • Corporate earnings and corporate actions drove mixed single-stock movements, with Estee L…: Corporate earnings and corporate actions drove mixed single-stock movements, with Estee Lauder gaining 2.6% while Intel dropped another 1%.
  • Upcoming midterm election results could introduce a divided government during President D…: Upcoming midterm election results could introduce a divided government during President Donald Trump's administration if Democrats secure the House.

Sources checked by our analysis pipeline: 1

The tech-heavy Nasdaq-100 shed over $2.5 trillion in market value last month and was on the brink of entering correction territory, as investors grew wary of Big Tech's soaring AI spending while awaiting evidence of stronger returns.

Several companies have also tapped the bond market to finance those investments recently, amplifying concerns that debt-funded spending will become harder to justify as borrowing costs rise.

Sentiment towards the AI trade was mostly negative last week. Media reports on Friday stated that OpenAI has slashed the target for its latest funding round by $10 billion. A separate report stated that Blackstone told investors that Anthropic may not secure an investment-grade rating after its IPO.

At 7:01 a.m. ET, Dow E-minis were up 256 points, or 0.49%, and S&P 500 E-minis were up 35 points, or 0.46%. Nasdaq 100 E-minis were up 212.5 points, or 0.74%.

The mood improved on Monday, with most megacap and growth stocks rising in premarket trading. SpaceX and Alphabet were among the top gainers.

Intel extended losses, down about 1%, after clocking its worst one-day fall since the…

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