Market
September 8, U.S. stocks opened mixed: the Dow Jones fell 0.9%, the S&P 500 dipped 0.2% and the NASDAQ edged up 0.1% as investors weighed a powerful rebound in semiconductors against caution ahead of the next inflation report and renewed regulatory worries.
Gains led the tape: Bloom Energy Corp soars 8.0% on a large fuel-cell order; Direxion Daily Semiconductors Bull 3x Shares climbs 7.2% as chip momentum accelerates; Intel pops 6.0% after unveiling its Gaudi4 AI accelerator; Oracle leaps 6.0% on a cloud-driven earnings beat; Qualcomm adds 5.4% after extending its modem deal with Apple; United Microelectronics rises 5.1% on upbeat foundry guidance. On the downside, Baidu sinks 7.9% amid fresh Chinese tech scrutiny while Strategy slides 4.3% alongside a crypto pullback.
Broader strength centers on hardware names: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing gains 3.4%, Marvell Technology adds 3.0%, Advanced Micro Devices advances 2.9%, Broadcom rises 2.7% and Tesla Motors edges up 1.0% on reports of European price cuts, while Direxion Daily Semiconductors Bear 3x Shares tumbles 6.7% as bears retreat.
News
Micron Technology lifts revenue guidance. Management said surging AI-server demand is driving a faster rebound in memory pricing. Analysts raised earnings forecasts, sending the stock higher at the open.
Oracle tops estimates and unveils new AI cloud pact. Strong database subscription growth and a partnership with OpenAI fueled a double-digit outlook boost. Shares rallied as investors cheered widening margins.
Intel launches Gaudi4 AI accelerator. The chipmaker said the new processor delivers triple the performance per watt versus prior generations, targeting data-center clients. Early orders pushed Intel stock up sharply.
Qualcomm secures multi-year Apple modem deal. The agreement extends 5G chipset supply through 2030, alleviating fears of an imminent Apple in-house switch. Qualcomm jumped on the long-term revenue visibility.
Bloom Energy Corp signs 1-GW fuel-cell pact with Amazon.com. The five-year agreement could generate over $1 billion in sales and strengthens Bloom Energy Corp’s position in clean-power solutions. Investors rewarded the stock with a strong opening surge.
Baidu slumps after Beijing tightens AI advertising rules. New guidelines limit monetization of generative content, prompting analysts to trim revenue estimates. U.S.-listed shares fell nearly 8%.
PDD Holdings under U.S. scrutiny for cross-border trade practices. Reports say regulators are examining compliance with import tariffs and consumer protection laws, pressuring the e-commerce giant’s ADRs.
Amazon.com faces imminent FTC antitrust lawsuit. The agency reportedly finalized a broad case targeting the company’s marketplace practices. Shares slipped as investors braced for potential remedies.
White House unveils $5 billion semiconductor R&D hub. Funded by the CHIPS Act, the initiative aims to accelerate domestic innovation and supply-chain security, boosting sentiment across the chip sector.
Federal Reserve officials reiterate higher-for-longer stance. Policymakers signaled rates may stay elevated until inflation convincingly returns to target. Treasury yields inched up, adding pressure to rate-sensitive sectors at the open.