Pre-Bell | US Futures Rise; Chip Stocks Jump Due to Multiple Positive News; C3.ai Surges 17%

01 Stock Market
As of Jan 28, U.S. stock index futures performed as follows: Nasdaq 100 futures rose 0.91%, S&P 500 futures gained 0.35%, and Dow futures inched up 0.04%. The tech tilt reflects strength in semiconductors and AI-linked names after upbeat chip-equipment orders and supportive supply headlines. Broadly, the setup favors growth and AI infrastructure exposure, while investors brace for a heavy earnings slate in megacap technology and hardware.

Notable Stock Movers: Semiconductors and AI infrastructure paced pre-market action with outsized gains. NVDA up 1.56% at $191.47; INTC up 6.60% at $46.83; MU up 5.07% at $431.02; WDC up 8.09% at $273.10; STX up 10.29% at $410.00; AMD up 2.27% at $257.75; ASML up 6.08% at $1543.05. Among megacaps: MSFT up 0.17% at $481.40; AAPL up 0.04% at $258.37; TSLA up 0.29% at $432.15; GOOG up 0.63% at $337.10; META down 0.29% at $671.00. Precious metals proxies were firmer: GLD up 1.69% at $484.13; UGL up 3.19% at $81.77.

Momentum in chips is being underpinned by stronger tool demand and AI capacity build-outs. ASML’s bookings surprise is stoking equipment and logic spending optimism, while reports that China approved the import of NVIDIA’s H200 chips support the near-term demand backdrop for leading-edge AI hardware. On the storage front, Seagate’s upbeat outlook is fueling disk-drive and memory adjacencies, and Meta’s multiyear fiber commitment to Corning adds visibility to AI data-center supply chains.

Enterprise artificial intelligence software provider C3.ai is in talks to merge with software company Automation Anywhere, The Information reported on Tuesday, citing people familiar with the discussions. If the deal materializes, Automation Anywhere would buy C3.ai and go public as a result, the report added. C3.ai shares soared 16.2%.

02 Other Markets

• 10-year U.S. Treasury yield rose 0.62%, to 4.25%.

• U.S. Dollar Index rose 0.47% to 96.21.

• WTI crude oil futures rose 0.05% to 62.42 USD/barrel; COMEX gold futures rose 3.50% to 5260.30 USD/ounce.

03 Key News

1. ASML reported a bookings beat, signaling stronger AI-related tool demand and lifting shares. The company disclosed fourth-quarter bookings of 13.2 billion euros, well above market expectations, as chipmakers ramp capacity for AI logic and memory. Demand for EUV systems remains robust, reinforcing capital-spending visibility for leading fabs. ASML shares traded higher pre-market, with ASML up 6.08% at $1543.05.

2. China approved import of NVIDIA’s H200 AI chips, bolstering the sector’s demand outlook. Approvals reportedly cover several hundred thousand units, initially allocated to large internet platforms, suggesting constructive AI supply access while domestic ecosystems scale. The news underpins AI accelerator visibility for data centers. NVIDIA shares strengthened, with NVDA up 1.56% at $191.47 pre-market.

3. Seagate guided revenue and profit above expectations, propelling storage peers. Management projected a better-than-anticipated fiscal third-quarter, citing AI-driven data infrastructure needs. The update supports a cyclical turn in enterprise storage and stabilizing pricing. Shares advanced sharply, with STX up 10.29% at $410.00 pre-market.

4. Meta agreed to pay Corning up to $6 billion through 2030 for fiber-optic cable to scale AI data centers. The multi-year supply pact enhances Corning’s backlog visibility as hyperscalers expand networking capacity for AI workloads. Corning’s shares gained in recent trading, while Meta eased modestly pre-market, with META down 0.29% at $671.00.

5. SK Hynix posted record quarterly profit on AI memory demand, supporting global chip sentiment. Operating profit surged, beating consensus amid tight supply and strong HBM and DRAM pricing. The ripple effect aided U.S.-listed memory and storage names pre-market; leveraged Hong Kong exposure rallied, with the CSOP SK Hynix Daily 2x Leveraged Product up about 20% in recent trading.

6. Redwire joined the Missile Defense Agency’s SHIELD vendor pool, opening new federal opportunities. Inclusion expands the company’s eligibility for awards under a large, multi-year defense procurement framework, though it does not guarantee revenue. Investors viewed the gateway positively, with RDW up 3% in recent trading.

7. Stride topped revenue expectations and guided above consensus, sparking a sharp share move. The online education provider reported sales growth and stronger next-quarter revenue guidance alongside a non-GAAP EPS beat, reflecting operating leverage and demand resilience. Shares surged in extended trading, with LRN up 34%.

8. Nextracker delivered strong results, raised its outlook, and authorized buybacks, lifting the stock. Management cited revenue growth, expanding backlog, and progress beyond trackers into broader solar technology solutions, including early Middle East JV ramps and power conversion plans. The shares advanced, with NXT up 9% in recent trading.

9. SpaceX is weighing a mid-year initial public offering that could raise up to $50 billion at a valuation near $1.5 trillion, per media reports. The consideration underscores strong private-market demand and the strategic appeal of space infrastructure. While not public, any listing could influence space, launch, and satellite ecosystem valuations.

10. NetEase is likely to shift its Hong Kong shares to a primary listing, positioning for Stock Connect inclusion. Analysts noted higher Hong Kong turnover and potential compliance drivers for the conversion, which could broaden the investor base. U.S.-listed ADRs firmed in recent trading, with NTES up about 3% and the ADR last around $131.86.

Sources: Reuters, Dow Jones, Tiger Newspress, public market data
Disclaimer: For informational purposes only; not investment advice.