Tonight’s Highlights | U.S. Stock Futures Edge Higher, Micron Technology Surges Over 5% Pre-Market
On Monday, U.S. stock index futures rose slightly, with markets approaching historical highs again. European major indices showed mixed performance.
On the previous trading day, the three major U.S. indices all closed higher, with the Nasdaq hitting a record high. Apple, a notable underperformer among the "Magnificent Seven" this year, significantly boosted the market with its strong rebound.
However, with elevated valuations, a gloomy macroeconomic outlook, and the impact of tariffs, combined with seasonal weakness, some investors are questioning how long the U.S. market can sustain its upward momentum.
"We are likely entering a digestion period, not something else," said Jay Woods, Chief Global Strategist at Freedom Capital Markets.
Woods added, "The market may consolidate sideways for a while, which isn’t a bad thing."
This week’s inflation data will be a critical factor influencing future market trends. The Consumer Price Index (CPI) will be released on Tuesday, and the Producer Price Index (PPI) on Thursday, both of which are pivotal for assessing interest rate directions, especially with the Federal Reserve’s September meeting approaching. If inflation data exceeds expectations, it could hinder further market gains.
"The most important thing is the CPI data," Woods said. "It will directly determine the direction of monetary policy."
Company News
Micron Technology Raises Q4 Performance Guidance
Micron Technology now expects Q4 adjusted earnings per share of $2.78–$2.92, up from its prior forecast of $2.35–$2.65, and adjusted revenue of $11.1–$11.3 billion, up from $10.4–$11.0 billion. As of this report, Micron’s stock surged over 5% in pre-market trading.
Musk: Grok 4 Now Free for All Users, Limited Queries for Free Users
On August 10, Elon Musk announced on the social media platform X that Grok 4 is now free for all users, stating, “Free users can make a limited number of queries per day; exceeding the limit requires a subscription.”
Tesla Applies for Power Supply License in the UK
According to the UK’s energy regulator, the Office of Gas and Electricity Markets (Ofgem), Tesla applied for an electricity supply license on July 25.
OpenAI’s GPT-5 Trademark Application Rejected in China
According to the Tianyancha App, OPENAI, INC. applied for two “OPENAI GPT-5” trademarks in the categories of website services and scientific instruments, both currently awaiting rejection review. Additionally, OPENAI OPCO, LLC applied for two “GPT-5” trademarks in the same categories, also under rejection review.
Bosch and Volkswagen’s CARIAD Announce Collaboration on AI Driving Assistance Systems
On August 11, Bosch announced a deepened partnership with Volkswagen Group’s software company, CARIAD, for autonomous driving.
The two will leverage artificial intelligence to develop software stacks for L2 and L3 assisted and autonomous driving, which will be ready for production projects starting mid-2026. Bosch and CARIAD’s autonomous driving features will be integrated into Volkswagen Group’s new software-defined vehicle architecture.
Novartis: Positive Results from Phase III Trial of Ianalumab
On August 11, Novartis announced positive preliminary results from its Phase III trials evaluating ianalumab for treating adult patients with active Sjögren’s syndrome. Both trials met their primary endpoints, showing statistically significant improvements in disease activity.