Markets remain steady with mixed U.S. equity futures as investors weigh ongoing Ukraine peace talks and await Fed Chair Powell’s Jackson Hole speech. Major indices including the S&P 500 and Nasdaq show muted movement amid retail earnings from Home Depot and Lowe’s. Semiconductor stocks stir on SoftBank’s $2B Intel buy as AI drives tech momentum, while cryptocurrencies retreat cautiously ahead of Fed cues.
Intel secures major $2 billion investment from SoftBank amid potential U.S. government stake talks to strengthen chip manufacturing and align with U.S. tech policies.
$2 billion – SoftBank’s investment in Intel to reinforce U.S. chip industry
Trump initiates peace talks hosting Zelenskyy and European leaders aiming to mediate Ukraine-Russia conflict with promises of trilateral talks with Putin.
Air Canada strike ends after union reaches tentative deal with the airline, ending days of disruptions that canceled thousands of flights and stranded passengers.
Bernstein Eyes Crypto Bull Run Extending to 2027
Bernstein forecasts a prolonged crypto bull market, highlighting potential growth for Robinhood, Coinbase, and Circle through 2027 amid favorable policies.
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Home Depot reports slight miss on quarterly sales amid slow demand for big projects, but overall sales grew and company maintains guidance ahead of key economic data.
Palo Alto Networks posts fiscal Q4 earnings beat with strong guidance, signaling confidence in cybersecurity demand; founder Nir Zuk retires and leaves CTO role.
Viking Therapeutics Tanks 40% on Weight-Loss Drug Trial Disappointment
Viking Therapeutics’ stock plunges over 40% after underwhelming results from its under-needle weight-loss drug Phase 2 study shake investor confidence.
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Viking Therapeutics stock falls sharply following mixed weight-loss pill trial results; analysts revised expectations ahead of earnings report.
Databricks nears $100 billion valuation with new funding round backed by investors amid AI market surge, outpacing rival Snowflake’s stock gains.
U.K. drops demand for backdoor access to Apple encrypted data; U.S. Treasury seeks public input on illicit crypto activity post-GENIUS Act.
Bitcoin and broader crypto markets retreat from recent highs as traders secure profits ahead of Federal Reserve’s Jackson Hole meeting interpreting market signals cautiously.
European and U.S. leaders reaffirm commitment to Ukraine with talks focusing on security guarantees, amid ongoing conflict and diplomatic developments including upcoming peace efforts.
Investors are chasing AI with fervor, but some will inevitably get burnt in this bubble.
— Sam Altman, OpenAI CEO
Multiple regulatory and legal actions impact major companies, including Apple’s global encryption win as UK drops data access demand, Newsmax defamation settlement, and Meta investigations over AI marketing.
Novo Nordisk cuts Ozempic price in half for cash-paying U.S. patients to $499 monthly, aiming to expand access to the widely prescribed diabetes and weight-loss drug.
Sam Altman, OpenAI CEO, warns AI market is in a ‘bubble’ though the technology is transformative, echoing cautious optimism amid massive ongoing AI investments.
US Treasury and regulators advance new policies and seek input aiming to curb illicit crypto activity following new stablecoin legislation, highlighting ongoing regulatory scrutiny.
The Trump administration’s escalating federal takeover of D.C. institutions, including police control and deployments of National Guard troops from red states, stokes legal and political controversy.
SoftBank’s strategic $2 billion investment in Intel reflects ongoing efforts to bolster U.S. semiconductor leadership amidst rising geopolitical and market challenges.
China’s AI cloud market expands rapidly with Alibaba and Baidu leading, signaling intensified competition in AI-powered cloud services across the region.
Palo Alto Networks predicts a renewed ‘browser wars’ fueled by AI competition, suggesting a reshaped infosec landscape amid tech sector momentum.
Medtronic raises its annual profit outlook and adds new independent directors following activist investor Elliott’s stake acquisition, signaling strategic corporate shifts.
Retail sector earnings from Home Depot, Lowe’s, and Walmart are in focus this week as investors analyze consumer spending trends and economic signals amid inflation concerns.
Bernstein forecasts crypto bull market could extend to 2027, citing strong upside for major players like Robinhood, Coinbase, and Circle amid sustained policy tailwinds and volume surges.