Overnight Developments
Intel Posts Q1 Blowout, AI Revenue Now 60% of Business — CNBC
Intel reported Q1 2026 EPS of $0.29 adjusted vs $0.01 expected, with revenue of $13.58B beating the $12.42B consensus. AI-related revenue is now 60% of total and up 40% YoY. Management announced Terafab partnerships with Google Cloud and Tesla/SpaceX and guided Q2 to $13.8B–$14.8B. Shares surged in after-hours trading. BNP Paribas downgraded to Neutral on execution concerns, but the tape is decisively positive. Affected sectors: Semiconductors, Tech, AI infrastructure
Trump Orders Navy to Fire on Iranian Mining Vessels in Strait of Hormuz — CNN
President Trump ordered the US Navy to open fire on any Iranian vessels attempting to lay mines in the Strait of Hormuz after observing an Iranian mine-laying operation overnight. A third US aircraft carrier has arrived in the region — the highest carrier concentration in the Middle East in over 20 years. Brent crude jumped 1.9% to ~$107.10/bbl on escalation fears. Affected sectors: Energy, Defense, Airlines, Transports, Materials
Trump Threatens UK With “Big Tariff” Over Digital Services Tax — MarketScreener / Telegraph
Trump said he would impose a “big tariff” on the UK if PM Keir Starmer does not scrap the digital services tax, which Washington views as unfairly targeting US tech firms. Adds another front to trade-policy uncertainty and weighs on FTSE (-0.65%). Affected sectors: Tech, Consumer, Financials
Futures & Pre-Market
| Index | Futures | Change |
|---|---|---|
| S&P 500 | 7,151.25 | +0.17% |
| NASDAQ | 27,173.75 | +0.53% |
| DOW | 49,356.00 | +0.01% |
Watchlist & Notable Movers
- INTC — sharply higher on blowout Q1 earnings (EPS $0.29 vs $0.01 est; AI revenue 60% of total; Google Cloud + Tesla/SpaceX Terafab deals announced). (Note: intraday data feed showed an anomalous -16.6% print pre-market; verified earnings reaction is strongly positive.)
- TXN +19.4% — Texas Instruments posted its best earnings reaction since 2000, fueling a broader semis rally.
- GEV +8% — GE Vernova beat on earnings/revenue and raised FY2026 guidance.
- GOOGL +1.5% — Google Cloud Next partnership announcements; positive AI sentiment.
- TMUS -1.5% — Bloomberg reports Deutsche Telekom weighing a full T-Mobile merger; dilution concerns.
International Markets
Asia mixed-to-positive on the tech tape: Nikkei +0.91%, Hang Seng +0.24%, Shanghai -0.36%. Europe soft on tariff and oil concerns: FTSE -0.65%, DAX -0.37%.
What to Watch at Open
Tech leadership should drive NASDAQ higher on Intel and Texas Instruments strength, but watch energy and defense for outperformance as Brent crude holds above $107 on the Strait of Hormuz escalation. The UK tariff threat adds a fresh trade-policy overhang that could cap any broad rally if Europe weakness bleeds into US sentiment.
This alert is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial advice.