01 Stock Market
As of Feb 25, U.S. stock index futures performed as follows: Dow futures rose 0.27%, S&P 500 futures climbed 0.30%, and Nasdaq 100 futures advanced 0.41%. Strength in semiconductors and select large-cap technology continued to support the growth complex, while crypto-linked names also firmed alongside digital-asset gains. Investors monitored upcoming corporate updates and guidance clarity from enterprise software and renewable energy names as drivers for sector rotation.
Notable Stock Movers: Pre‑market standouts included Circle (CRCL) up 15.87% at $71.11; Coinbase (COIN) up 4.15% at $168.76; Sigma Lithium (SGML) up 14.37% at $14.41; NVIDIA (NVDA) up 0.83% at $194.45; AMD (AMD) up 0.73% at $215.40; Microsoft (MSFT) up 0.36% at $390.40; Tesla (TSLA) up 0.11% at $409.82; Micron (MU) up 1.17% at $422.88; Oracle (ORCL) up 1.99% at $149.05; Alphabet (GOOG) up 0.44% at $312.30; Apple (AAPL) down 0.22% at $271.55; iShares Silver Trust (SLV) up 3.76% at $82.05; and ProShares Ultra Silver (AGQ) up 7.49% at $181.60.
Market breadth favored growth and cyclicals: the Direxion Daily Semiconductors Bull 3x (SOXL) was up 2.23% at $70.06, while small‑cap growth gauges like IWO rose 0.23% at $338.21 and VBK gained 0.28% at $320.88. Among U.S.-listed chip ADRs, TSMC (TSM) was up 1.02% at $389.69, ASE Technology (ASX) up 1.97% at $25.31, while UMC fell 3.48% at $10.54. Precious‑metals proxies strengthened alongside silver, reflecting defensive interest and macro hedging ahead of the bell.
02 Other Markets
• 10-year U.S. Treasury yield rose 0.47%, to 4.05%.
• U.S. Dollar Index rose 0.08% to 97.95.
• WTI crude oil futures rose 0.32% to 65.84 USD/barrel; COMEX gold futures rose 0.45% to 5199.50 USD/ounce.
03 Key News
1. Circle reported stronger quarterly revenue and received preliminary approval for a national trust bank charter, reinforcing stablecoin expansion. The issuer of USDC highlighted rapid circulation growth and higher reserve income amid clearer regulatory frameworks. Shares of CRCL jumped as investors priced in deeper banking‑system integration and monetization of reserve yields.
2. Lowe’s issued annual guidance below Wall Street expectations, signaling softer demand for large home remodels. The company projected adjusted EPS of $12.25–$12.75 and guided comparable sales from flat to modestly higher. Pre‑market, investors weighed consumer sensitivity to borrowing costs and big‑ticket deferrals.
3. ASML emphasized the surge in AI-driven chip demand as a long‑term growth engine in its annual report and outlined expansion plans in India. Management noted broad capacity build‑outs across customers and ongoing evolution of export‑control regimes. The narrative supports sustained equipment demand across logic and memory.
4. Zimbabwe suspended exports of raw minerals and lithium concentrates to curb malpractices and boost local processing. Authorities said the measure applies to minerals in transit and aims to enhance compliance and value‑addition. U.S.-listed lithium shares, including SGML, rose as markets reassessed supply chains and potential price support.
5. Axon Enterprise beat profit expectations, propelled by strong demand for Taser devices and cloud software. Management highlighted robust bookings for public‑safety platforms. Pre‑market, shares rallied as investors rewarded recurring‑revenue momentum and margin leverage.
6. CAVA Group guided same‑store sales above consensus, supported by resilient demand for its Mediterranean menu. The company acknowledged cost pressures from commodities and tariffs but maintained a growth posture. Shares advanced as guidance underscored traffic strength and brand expansion.
7. First Solar projected annual sales below analyst estimates, citing customer headwinds such as permitting delays, and shares fell. Management pointed to timing issues in project execution and policy uncertainty for utility‑scale builds. Investors reassessed backlog conversion and margin cadence into the year.
8. Workday guided subscription revenue below Street expectations, reflecting more scrutiny on large enterprise software deals. The update suggested lengthened sales cycles as customers evaluate spend. Shares declined in pre‑market trading on slower bookings and growth‑rate recalibration.
9. HP warned of continued memory‑chip volatility and anticipated softer PC shipments, pressuring shares. The company pointed to supply dynamics and demand normalization in personal systems. Investors focused on margin resilience and inventory discipline amid unit softness.
10. Meta reportedly explored integrating stablecoin payments across Facebook, WhatsApp, and Instagram, pending partner execution and regulatory clarity. The initiative would leverage recent U.S. policy frameworks to expand low‑cost digital payments. Market participants viewed this as a potential catalyst for broader stablecoin adoption at internet scale.
Sources: Reuters, Dow Jones, Tiger Newspress, public market data
Disclaimer: For informational purposes only; not investment advice.
