01 Stock Market
As of Jan 15, U.S. stock index futures are modestly higher, led by strength in technology and semiconductors. Dow futures rose 0.14%, S&P 500 futures gained 0.31%, and Nasdaq 100 futures advanced 0.74%. Gains in chip-related names and AI-linked themes are supporting risk appetite, while the pre-open tape hints at rotation toward growth and cyclical tech ahead of the opening bell.
Notable Stock Movers: Semiconductor leaders and megacap tech showed broad pre-market strength. TSM up 5.76% at $345.94; ASML up 6%; NVDA up 1.04% at $185.05; AMD up 1.68% at $227.35; AVGO up 2.09% at $346.99; TSLA up 0.39% at $440.91; AAPL up 0.02% at $260.01; MSFT up 0.37% at $461.10; GOOG up 0.54% at $338.13; META up 0.32% at $617.47. Activity was brisk in leverage products: SOXL up 8.23% at $59.94, while SQQQ fell 2.09% at $65.54. Precious-metals proxies weakened as silver slipped: SLV fell 2.45% at $82.49; AGQ fell 5.01% at $253.20. In storage, SanDisk (SNDK) up 4.69% at $406.01. Chinese ADR Trip.com (TCOM) fell 4.60% at $59.89.
Strength in chips aligns with TSMC’s higher multi-year capital spending outlook, which is lifting peers and equipment names. Tesla’s decision to shift its Full Self-Driving offering toward subscriptions is seen as bolstering recurring revenue and data collection, adding a marginal pre-open bid to TSLA. Regulatory headlines around Trip.com are pressuring Chinese travel, while talk of tariffs on select AI chips adds a policy layer to today’s semiconductor narrative.
02 Other Markets
10-year U.S. Treasury yield rose 0.09%, to 4.14%.
U.S. Dollar Index rose 0.12% to 99.18.
WTI crude oil futures fell 3.96% to 59.43 USD/barrel; COMEX gold futures fell 0.31% to 4621.50 USD/ounce.
03 Key News
Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing guided higher capital spending, signaling $52–$56 billion for an upcoming budget cycle, lifting chip shares. Management indicated a stronger multi-year investment path tied to AI and advanced nodes. The guidance supports supply-chain confidence and reinforces secular demand for semiconductor capacity. In pre-market trading, TSM up 5.76% at $345.94.
Tesla will offer Full Self-Driving as subscription-only, aiming to boost recurring revenue and data collection. Moving to subscriptions could accelerate software adoption, improve monetization, and expand training data crucial for autonomy. Investors are eyeing near-term purchase behavior and longer-term unit economics. TSLA up 0.39% at $440.91.
Ark Invest sold shares of Tesla and TSMC while buying Broadcom, reallocating exposure to AI and autonomy. The trades suggest a tactical shift across autonomous driving and AI infrastructure themes. Flows into Broadcom highlight demand for networking and accelerated-compute exposure. AVGO up 2.09% at $346.99;
China’s market regulator opened an antitrust investigation into Trip.com for suspected abuse of dominance, pressuring the stock. The probe by SAMR centers on market-power concerns tied to core travel-booking services. Trip.com said it is cooperating as operations continue. TCOM fell 4.60% at $59.89.
Toyota raised its offer to take Toyota Industries private, advancing its forklift-maker buyout plan. The company said the higher proposal strengthens the case for full integration and operational control. Investors view the move as a strategic step to streamline industrial assets. TM up about 4% .
The White House imposed a 25% tariff on certain AI chips, tightening national-security controls with potential supply-chain effects. The action targets advanced processors, adding compliance and sourcing complexity for ecosystem players. Markets are watching knock-on impacts across AI hardware procurement and deployment. NVDA up 1.04% at $185.05; AMD up 1.68% at $227.35.
The Senate Banking Committee postponed markup of a crypto market-structure bill, extending regulatory uncertainty. Delaying the process signals ongoing negotiations over consumer protection, market integrity, and national-security elements. The pause keeps digital-asset companies in a holding pattern on rulemaking and compliance planning.
Alibaba upgraded its Qwen AI app to complete tasks like ordering and booking, deepening consumer-facing AI. Integrations span Taobao, Fliggy, Amap, and Alipay, enabling end-to-end transactions inside the chat interface. Expanded “Task Assistant” capabilities aim to improve real-world utility and stickiness. BABA fell 0.58% at $168.91.
RF Industries reported a quarterly profit, reversing a prior loss and lifting shares. The turn to profitability reflected improved execution and demand across interconnect solutions. Investors welcomed the better earnings trajectory and operating discipline. RFIL up over 19%.
Datavault AI announced an integration with Fintech.TV to apply its content rating system, enhancing interactive features. The collaboration enables real-time bias measurement and audience engagement across fintech-and-AI programming. The market reacted positively to the strategic expansion of its platform. DVLT up 10%.
Sources: Reuters, Dow Jones, Tiger Newspress, public market data
Disclaimer: For informational purposes only; not investment advice.