Retail sales data continues to show resilience, underpinning consumer spending strength despite inflationary pressures. Industrial production remains steady, although recent volatility in equity markets has intensified volatility selling dynamics, as traders adjust risk exposure ahead of the upcoming FOMC meeting. Market participants are closely watching the Federal Reserve’s signals on interest rate trajectories and potential balance sheet adjustments.
On the corporate front, SEC quarterly earnings reports have revealed changes in capital allocation strategies and margin pressures across various sectors. Notably, Amazon’s Prime Video is leveraging augmented reality technology to enhance UEFA Champions League football coverage, aiming to boost viewer engagement through immersive experiences. Alphabet recently achieved a milestone, reaching a $3 trillion market capitalization, driven by strong ad revenues and cloud growth.
Demand for Nvidia’s RTX6000D chips remains robust in China amid increased AI workloads, with CoreWeave securing significant Nvidia chip orders to expand its cloud infrastructure. RBC Capital has upgraded Jumia Technologies, citing improved e-commerce penetration and operational efficiencies in African markets.
The US government’s establishment of a national strategic uranium stockpile is expected to bolster nuclear energy development, positively impacting uranium-related stocks as supply security becomes a priority. Meanwhile, Morgan Stanley raised BlackBerry price targets owing to new cybersecurity contracts and software expansion.
Oracle is expanding its AI data center bookings and announced a fuel cell partnership with Bloom Energy, highlighting the growing intersection of clean energy and cloud services. Speculation around an Oracle-TikTok deal remains speculative but underlines Oracle’s data ambitions.
In biotech, Novo Nordisk’s Wegovy and Eli Lilly’s Zepbound are advancing through FDA and EU regulatory processes, promising new weight management therapies. AMKR’s recent packaging collaboration with Apple signals continued demand for high-precision assembly in consumer electronics. Additionally, IREN and CIFR saw price target raises based on improving fundamentals, while Rocket Lab and Oscar completed share offerings to fund growth plans.
Disclaimer: This information is for educational and informational purposes only. It does not constitute financial advice, nor does it constitute a solicitation to buy or sell any securities. Always conduct your own research and consult with a qualified financial advisor before making any investment decisions.