01 Stock Market
As of Jan 7, U.S. stock index futures are mixed, indicating a cautious tone before the opening bell. Dow futures edged higher, with the front contract up 0.04% at 49,741.00, while S&P 500 futures fell 0.07% to 6,982.75 and Nasdaq 100 futures fell 0.19% to 25,773. The setup suggests tech-heavy benchmarks may see modest pressure relative to the Dow as traders digest chip, AI, and crypto-linked headlines alongside energy developments.
Notable movers feature biotech, AI leaders, and crypto proxies in pre-market action. Standouts include: VTYX up 60.20% at $16.10; NVDA up 0.43% at $188.05; TSLA up 0.32% at $434.35; MSTR up 4.33% at $164.81; large-cap tech softness with AAPL fell 0.19% at $261.87; AMD fell 0.56% at $213.15; META fell 0.40% at $658.00; and crypto exchange COIN up 0.07% at $250.73. These moves reflect deal headlines in biotech, evolving AI guidance, and index-provider decisions on crypto-exposed firms.
Activity is broad across ADRs and specialty names. Rare earth developer CRML rose 8.47% at $12.81. Among Chinese ADRs, BABA fell 1.13% at $149.20, BIDU rose 0.38% at $146.97, TSM fell 1.29% at $323.19, and XPEV rose 0.10% at $20.13. Semiconductor levered ETFs were volatile, with long semis SOXL fell 2.09% at $52.88 and short semis SOXS up 2.52% at $2.44, underscoring a mixed read-through for chips ahead of the bell. Precious Metals shares slid in premarket trading. GFI down over 4%; Platinum Group, Anglogold, Harmony Gold, First Majestic Silver down about 3%.
02 Other Markets
10-year U.S. Treasury yield fell 0.85%, to 4.14%.
U.S. Dollar Index fell 0.01% to 98.58.
WTI crude oil futures fell 0.51% to 56.84 USD/barrel; COMEX gold futures fell 0.86% to 4457.40 USD/ounce.
03 Key News
Eli Lilly is in advanced talks to acquire Ventyx Biosciences for more than $1 billion, lifting the target’s shares sharply pre-market. The reported deal would add inflammatory and metabolic pipeline assets to Lilly’s portfolio, including candidates for Crohn’s disease and obesity-related cardiovascular risk. VTYX is up 60.20% at $16.10, while investors assess strategic fit and likely timelines for integration and trials.
MSCI shelved plans to exclude digital asset treasury companies, keeping MicroStrategy in key benchmarks. The index provider said it will maintain current treatment while launching a broader consultation on how to handle non-operating asset-heavy firms. The decision supports benchmark inclusion for crypto-exposed corporates; MSTR is up 4.33% at $164.81.
Morgan Stanley filed with the SEC to launch exchange-traded funds tied to Bitcoin and Solana, signaling a deeper push into digital assets. The proposed products would expand mainstream access to crypto exposures under a regulated wrapper. The move underscores continued institutionalization of digital assets alongside growing spot ETF adoption and could support ecosystem names such as COIN up 0.07% at $250.73.
Nvidia said its multi-year revenue outlook tied to data center AI has grown more optimistic on robust demand and large customer deals. Management indicated orders have exceeded prior expectations and highlighted progress on next-gen chips and China-compliant offerings, noting strong interest from hyperscalers and enterprise workloads beyond AI. NVDA is up 0.43% at $188.05 in pre-market trading.
Chinese authorities are reviewing Meta’s acquisition of AI startup Manus for potential export-control considerations. Officials are assessing whether relocating staff and technology required a license, potentially influencing the transaction. While the review is preliminary, it introduces regulatory uncertainty for META, which fell 0.40% at $658.00 pre-market amid broader large-cap tech softness.
Washington and Caracas reached an arrangement to redirect Venezuelan crude to the U.S., potentially totaling up to $2 billion in value. The deal is set to divert cargoes from Asia, boost Gulf Coast supply, and may reduce the need for deeper Venezuelan output cuts. With U.S. flows currently centered on a single authorized operator, the shift could influence heavy crude differentials and U.S. refining runs.
Mobileye announced a $900 million agreement to acquire humanoid robotics firm Mentee Robotics, expanding into autonomous systems beyond vehicles. The company aims to combine AI perception, production capability, and a robotics platform to accelerate commercialization of humanoid solutions. The move broadens its addressable market and underscores cross-pollination between autonomous driving and advanced robotics.
MSCI confirmed it will keep crypto-heavy companies in indexes for now while exploring refined criteria for non-operating asset holders. The firm cited investor feedback and the need to distinguish investment companies from corporates holding digital assets as part of core operations. The continued inclusion supports benchmark-linked demand for crypto-treasury names pending further consultation.
Baidu’s AI-chip unit Kunlunxin selected banks for a Hong Kong IPO that could raise up to $2 billion, reinforcing its semiconductor ambitions. The listing plans aim to fund development of accelerators for data centers and AI workloads, complementing Baidu’s broader AI strategy. The development may influence sentiment toward BIDU, which is up 0.38% at $146.97 in U.S. pre-market trading.
China introduced new e-commerce rules curbing forced merchant participation in promotions and restricting misleading influencer claims. The measures target platform conduct and strengthen consumer protections, with potential impacts on large marketplaces. The policy shift pressures platform operators’ practices and is weighing on related ADRs including BABA, which fell 1.13% at $149.20 pre-market.
Sources: Reuters, Dow Jones, Tiger Newspress, public market data
Disclaimer: For informational purposes only; not investment advice.