US Stock Market Outlook: Mixed Futures, Gold Surges, Strong Earnings from Lumentum and AMD

US Pre-Market Update: Mixed Signals Ahead of Employment Data

As of Wednesday pre-market, US stock futures are showing mixed results. The Dow futures are up by 0.26%, while Nasdaq futures are down by 0.21%, and S&P 500 futures are up by 0.13%.

Employment Data Release

The anticipated "little non-farm" employment report is set to be released tonight, with January ADP employment numbers at 22,000, falling short of the expected 48,000 and previous value of 41,000.

Tech Stocks Performance

Star tech stocks are mixed in pre-market trading.

• AMD is down over 9%.
• Google shares (GOOG, GOOGL) are up over 1%.

Chinese Stocks Movement

Popular Chinese stocks are also mixed:

• NetEase (NTES) is down over 3%.
• Baidu (BIDU) and Trip.com (TCOM) are down nearly 3%.
• Pinduoduo (PDD) shows a slight increase.

Precious Metals and Gold Stocks

Spot gold and silver continue to rise, with gold (XAU/USD) up nearly 2%, surpassing $5,000, and silver (XAG/USD) up over 5%, nearing $90.

Gold stocks are rebounding in pre-market, with Coeur Mining (CDE) and AngloGold Ashanti (AU) up over 4%.

AI and Software Sector Concerns

The software sector is down as investors worry that AI advancements may disrupt traditional business models.

• SAP SE (SAP) is down over 3%.

Bitcoin and Cryptocurrency Market

Bitcoin continues to decline, erasing gains since Trump's election win, dropping below $73,000 before recovering slightly above $76,000.

Analysts note that despite attempts to buy the dip, further price drops are leading to more pressure.

AI Chatbot Market Dynamics

In the AI chatbot market, ChatGPT's share has dropped from 69.1% to 45.3%, while Gemini has risen from 14.7% to 25.1%.

Intel's GPU Ambitions

Intel (INTC) is making strides in the GPU market, aiming for AI data center business growth, with shares up nearly 1% in pre-market.

AMD's Earnings Report

AMD's Q4 earnings exceeded expectations, but the guidance for Q1 was seen as conservative, leading to a nearly 9% drop in pre-market trading.

Novo Nordisk's Pricing Pressure

Novo Nordisk (NVO) is down nearly 4% as CEO warns of unprecedented pricing pressures in 2026.

Oracle's Debt Situation

Oracle (ORCL) is under pressure to offload $56 billion in debt, with banks scrambling to find buyers.

Lumentum's Strong Performance

Lumentum (LITE) shares are up over 14% after reporting a 65% year-over-year revenue increase.

Uber's Mixed Outlook

Uber (UBER) shares fell 10% but later recovered, as Q1 profit guidance fell short of expectations.

Eli Lilly's Positive Earnings

Eli Lilly (LLY) shares surged over 8% after reporting better-than-expected Q4 earnings and 2026 revenue guidance.

Santander Bank Acquisition

Santander Bank (SAN) is up nearly 4% as it plans to acquire Webster Financial for $12.2 billion.

Market Summary

Overall, the market is reacting to various earnings reports and economic indicators, with significant movements in tech, AI, and precious metals sectors. Investors are advised to stay alert for upcoming data releases and market shifts.