Stock Market

As of Oct 21, U.S. stock index futures performed as follows: Dow Jones futures rose 0.20%, S&P 500 futures rose 0.27%, and Nasdaq 100 futures rose 0.68%. The setup pointed to a firmer open for U.S. equities, with the tech-heavy Nasdaq contract outperforming the broader market. The move was consistent with strength in semiconductors and AI-linked names, while the Dow and S&P 500 posted more modest gains.

Notable Stock Movers: SUPER MICRO COMPUTER INC up 12.5%, Micron Technology up 2.8%, NVIDIA up 1.65%, Advanced Micro Devices up 1.62%. Tesla Motors advanced 1.28%, while Alibaba fell 2.49% and XPeng Inc. dropped 4.34%.

Among broader names, SpaceX rose 8.26%, SanDisk Corp. gained 3%, and Bloom Energy Corp climbed 4.6%.

Overall tone: The early action favored AI infrastructure, memory chips, and select high-beta technology shares, while several China-related ADRs and consumer internet names were softer. The pattern suggested traders were responding to company-specific updates rather than a broad macro rerating, with semiconductor momentum driving the strongest moves.

Other Markets

• 10-year U.S. Treasury yield fell 0.29%, to 5.10%.

• U.S. Dollar Index fell 0.0393% to 101.67.

• WTI crude oil futures rose 0.68% to 98.49 USD/barrel; COMEX gold futures rose 0.41% to 4159.50 USD/ounce.

Key News

1. eBay said it will lay off about 9% of its workforce to simplify operations and redirect spending toward faster-growing businesses. The company told employees that affected staff will be informed in the coming days. Management said the move is intended to sharpen execution and concentrate resources on areas with the strongest growth potential.

2. NextEra Energy reported higher adjusted profit but weaker-than-expected operating revenue and reaffirmed its full-year earnings outlook. The utility said adjusted EPS rose from a year earlier, while revenue missed consensus. It also kept its 2026 adjusted EPS guidance unchanged, signaling confidence in its business outlook despite the softer top line.

3. BBVA said it plans to work with NVIDIA to explore OpenShell reference architecture. The initiative is aimed at evaluating how the architecture could support future technology applications. The announcement linked a major global bank with one of the most closely watched AI infrastructure providers.

4. Autodesk said it plans to integrate NVIDIA technologies into NavPack to expand AI-powered automotive design tools. The integration would connect NavPack with NVIDIA PhysicsNeMo and Warp to support additional AI model architectures and GPU-accelerated workflows. Autodesk said the goal is to bring engineering insights earlier into the design process.

5. SpaceX said demand for its AI computing and infrastructure services remains strong. On its earnings call, the company said it is actively building supply to meet internal and external demand for computing power. Management also said pricing is tracking toward the high end of its stated range, reinforcing the view that AI compute remains scarce.

6. Ningbo Shanshan said it plans to raise up to 4 billion yuan through a private placement with an indirect controlling shareholder. The company said proceeds would be used to fund a project and replenish capital. The financing would provide additional liquidity if completed.

7. New Toyo said a subsidiary completed the acquisition of five land parcels and buildings in Indonesia. The deal gives the company additional property assets through an indirectly controlled subsidiary. The purchase adds to its operational footprint in the region.

8. Old National maintained its loan growth outlook and projected earnings growth above 15%. The bank kept its net interest income and expense guidance intact and said the outlook assumes no policy-rate changes in the fourth quarter. It also reported higher adjusted earnings and steady credit-related expectations.

9. Zhongshen Jianye proposed a 10-year share award scheme for employees and directors. The plan would cap shares issued under the scheme and related programs at 10% of outstanding shares, excluding treasury stock. Directors recommended shareholders approve the proposal at an upcoming meeting.

10. House of Doge said it secured a strategic equity stake in Dogecoin Labs and finalized a long-term license agreement with the Dogecoin Foundation. The company also said a director will leave the board to join Dogecoin Labs’ leadership. The actions indicate an effort to formalize its role in the Dogecoin ecosystem and strengthen its long-term operating structure.

Sources: Reuters, Dow Jones, Tiger Newspress, public market data

Disclaimer: For informational purposes only; not investment advice.