NEW YORK, August 17, 2026, 08:15 EDT — U.S. equity markets remained shut with regular trading scheduled to open at 09:30 EDT.
- Nasdaq futures rose 0.52%, outpacing the S&P 500 move by fourfold.
- Micron gained 3% amid renewed attention on AI and memory demand.
- The VIX remained under 15 even as oil and Middle East risks persisted.
Nasdaq 100 futures climbed at a pace four times that of S&P 500 contracts on Monday. Optimism about AI boosted chipmakers and large technology stocks, while Dow futures edged lower.
The division carries greater significance than the headline rise. Investors favored growth exposure but did not extend a widespread cyclical bid.
Nasdaq futures rose 0.52% as of 07:32 EDT. S&P 500 futures increased 0.13%, but Dow futures slipped 0.17%.
| Premarket risk dashboard | Latest | Signal |
|---|---|---|
| Nasdaq 100 futures | +0.52% | Growth momentum from AI |
| S&P 500 futures | +0.13% | Gains led by a few stocks |
| Dow futures | -0.17% | Cyclical shares underperform |
| Cboe VIX | Just under 15 | Volatility expectations stay muted |
| U.S. two-year yield | 4.154% | 2 basis points lower |
| U.S. 10-year yield | 4.688% | Moves down premarket |
Private AI firm Anthropic sparked the move, forecasting revenue of about $190 billion to $200 billion in 2028 as it gets ready for an initial public offering.
Amazon NASDAQ:AMZN advanced 1.2% in premarket trading. Alphabet NASDAQ:GOOGL was up 0.6%, and Micron Technology NASDAQ:MU climbed 3%.
Broadcom NASDAQ:AVGO rose 1.1%. Nvidia NASDAQ:NVDA edged up 0.6% following a decision to reduce backing for a planned OpenAI data center, which alleviated worries over circular financing.
| Verified premarket movers | Move | Immediate catalyst |
|---|---|---|
| Vista Energy NYSE:VIST | +5.7% | Peter Thiel revealed a 1% holding |
| Micron NASDAQ:MU | +3.0% | Increased AI demand and U.S. memory policy backing |
| Amazon NASDAQ:AMZN | +1.2% | Anthropic revenue projection |
| Broadcom NASDAQ:AVGO | +1.1% | Growing optimism for AI chip demand |
| Alphabet NASDAQ:GOOGL | +0.6% | Confidence in AI company valuation |
| Nvidia NASDAQ:NVDA | +0.6% | Lowered financing risk |
Danni Hewson from AJ Bell stated that apprehensions over an “AI boom then bust is waning somewhat.” She noted that investors are now identifying areas where investment and results are becoming evident. Reuters interview
Analysts continue to lean bullishly toward the primary chip beneficiaries. However, consensus targets are trailing swift share price shifts and should not be interpreted as assurances.
| Analyst recommendations | Consensus or call | Average target | Coverage snapshot |
|---|---|---|---|
| Micron NASDAQ:MU | Strong Buy | $1,507 | 45 analysts |
| Broadcom NASDAQ:AVGO | Strong Buy | $527 | 48 analysts |
| Alphabet NASDAQ:GOOGL | Buy | $410.09 | 39 analysts |
| TransUnion NYSE:TRU | Stifel: Buy | $88 | Call reaffirmed July 28 |
Rates provided another layer of support. Traders lowered the chances of a Fed hike in September to 31%, down from almost 50% a week ago.
Gold gained 0.5% to $4,398.58 as the dollar eased 0.2%. Brent crude hovered around $89.42, remaining supported by an inflation premium linked to the Iran conflict.
The Cboe VIX rose by around 0.7 point, yet stayed under 15. This steady level offers limited buffer should oil prices or interest rates shift direction.
Earnings quality continues to show strength. LSEG IBES data indicates that 84.8% of the 453 S&P 500 companies that have reported so far have surpassed analyst expectations.
Risks: The AI trade is concentrated, oil prices are still high, and subdued volatility may intensify a reversal. Strong retail results or higher-than-expected data could swiftly revive expectations of a Fed hike.
The initial test is straightforward. If chip performance extends past the Nasdaq, the rally proves more sustainable; otherwise, Monday continues to be a focused valuation play.
Related articles: NASDAQ:NVDA
