US Stock Market Outlook: Nasdaq 100 Adjustments, Tesla's Robotaxi Testing, Futures Rise

Market Overview

On Monday morning, following a decline last Friday, major U.S. index futures rebounded collectively. The Dow futures rose by 0.51%, Nasdaq futures increased by 0.56%, and S&P 500 futures gained 0.51%.

Pre-Market Movements

Tech Stocks

Most star tech stocks saw gains in pre-market trading, with Tesla (TSLA), Nvidia (NVDA), and Micron Technology (MU) all rising over 1%.

Chinese Stocks

Chinese stocks showed mixed results before the market opened. Baidu (BIDU) fell nearly 2%, and Alibaba (BABA) dropped over 1%, while NIO (NIO) and Xpeng Motors (XPEV) experienced slight increases.

Commodity Prices

Gold prices continued to rise for five consecutive days, surpassing $4,340, while silver prices increased by over 3%. Gold stocks such as AngloGold Ashanti (AU), Gold Fields (GFI), and Coeur Mining (CDE) also saw gains of over 3%.

Cannabis Stocks

Cannabis stocks maintained their upward trend, with cbdMD (YCBD) soaring over 14%, and Tilray Brands (TLRY) and Canopy Growth (CGC) rising over 6%. This follows news that Trump will sign an executive order to reclassify cannabis as a less regulated substance.

Tesla's Robotaxi Testing

Elon Musk announced that Tesla has begun testing its Robotaxi service without a human safety driver. A recent video showed a Tesla Model Y driving in Austin with no one inside. This marks a significant step since the service was launched in June 2023.

Nasdaq 100 Component Changes

The results of the annual adjustment for the Nasdaq 100 have been released, with Western Digital and Seagate entering the index. The new components will be included before the market opens on December 22, 2025. The companies added include:

• Alnylam Pharmaceuticals (ALNY)
• Ferrovial SE (FER)
• Insmed (INSM)
• Monolithic Power Systems (MPWR)
• Seagate Technology (STX)
• Western Digital (WDC)

Meanwhile, Biogen (BIIB), CDW Corp (CDW), GlobalFoundries (GFS), Lululemon Athletica (LULU), ON Semiconductor (ON), and The Trade Desk (TTD) will be removed.

Rocket Lab's Milestone

Rocket Lab (RKLB) rose over 2% in pre-market trading after announcing it successfully completed its first dedicated launch for the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA). This achievement highlights the growing integration of commercial companies into national space programs.

iRobot's Bankruptcy Filing

iRobot (IRBT), known for its Roomba vacuum, saw its stock plummet over 80% after filing for bankruptcy protection. The company will be acquired by its main manufacturer, Picea Robotics, based in Shenzhen, China.

Sanofi's Drug Setback

Sanofi (SNY) experienced a drop of over 4% due to setbacks with its experimental drug for multiple sclerosis, which failed to meet key trial endpoints, and regulatory delays from the FDA.

Market Outlook

UBS analysts suggest that the market may be underestimating the probability of a rate cut in January, with upcoming employment and CPI data being critical variables. The non-farm payroll reports for October and November will be released on Tuesday, providing a comprehensive assessment of the labor market.

Investment Strategy Shifts

Goldman Sachs and Bank of America predict a rotation in U.S. stocks, moving away from AI and tech giants towards cyclical sectors like industrials and consumer discretionary in 2026. Morgan Stanley forecasts a significant increase in global robot hardware sales, with China maintaining a leading advantage in the market.