Three major stock market indices are increasing; European Union plans to buy €40 billion in artificial intelligence chips

Major U.S. stock futures were all up in pre-market trading, indicating a positive start for the day, with Nasdaq futures showing the most significant increase at 0.45%. Tech giants like NVIDIA and AMD displayed positive performances with gains of about 1.5%, while Google and Apple showed minor declines.

The pre-market trading of popular Chinese ADRs showed an upward trend, with Li Auto surging over 6%, ZAI LAB up by more than 5%, and GDS Holdings, NIO, and Tencent Music also following suit. The news of the EU’s potential purchase of 40 billion euros worth of AI chips in a trade deal with the U.S. led to a general rise in U.S. semiconductor stocks before the market opened. Companies like NVIDIA, Advanced Micro Devices, Marvell Technology, and NXP Semiconductors were all on the upward trajectory.

As negotiations continue between the EU and the U.S., details of the transatlantic tariff agreement are slowly emerging. The European Commission announced its plan to acquire 40 billion euros worth of AI chips as part of the trade pact with the U.S., showcasing the growing importance of semiconductor technologies in global trade.

In particular, NVIDIA has been facing stronger-than-expected demand in China. The company had to adapt its strategy due to this heightened demand by placing an urgent order for 300,000 H20 chips with Taiwan Semiconductor, highlighting the dynamic nature of the semiconductor market.

On the flip side, Novo-Nordisk A/S experienced a significant drop of over 19% in pre-market trading following a revision of its 2025 outlook. The company adjusted its full-year sales growth forecast to 8%-14%, down from the previous estimation of 13%-21%, citing lower growth expectations for its key products in various markets.

Boeing, on the other hand, saw a rise of over 2% in pre-market trading after reporting impressive Q2 revenue figures that surpassed market expectations. The company’s strong performance was reflected in its revenue, adjusted free cash flow, and backlog, signaling positive momentum.

Conversely, UnitedHealth witnessed a decline of over 2% in pre-market trading after falling short of market expectations with its 2025 fiscal year guidance. The company’s projected return to earnings growth in 2026 did not align with market consensus, leading to a dip in its share value.

Li Auto’s pre-market trading showed a sharp increase of over 6%, coinciding with the official launch of the Li i8 model. In an exciting announcement during the launch event, CEO Li Xiang mentioned that the company is currently experimenting with an automatic charging robot, highlighting Li Auto’s commitment to innovation and automation.

In the music streaming sector, Spotify reported lower-than-expected revenue figures for Q2, leading to a nearly 5% drop in pre-market trading. The company’s monthly active users and paid subscription revenue also missed market projections, showcasing the challenges faced in a competitive market landscape.

The news of ON Semiconductor’s partnership with NVIDIA to accelerate the transition of AI data centers to 800V DC power solutions propelled its shares up by more than 5% in pre-market trading, highlighting the importance of strategic collaborations in driving innovation.

On a less positive note, United Parcel Service (UPS) saw a nearly 4% decline in pre-market trading due to missing expectations with its Q2 adjusted EPS figures. The company’s decision not to provide full-year revenue guidance amidst macroeconomic uncertainties contributed to the bearish sentiment.

In the tech world, Microsoft is reportedly in advanced negotiations with OpenAI to secure long-term access to key technologies, with a deal expected to be finalized in the coming weeks. The agreement aims to allow Microsoft continued access to OpenAI’s cutting-edge models and technologies, even as the company progresses towards achieving artificial general intelligence (AGI).

In investment news, Warren Buffett’s Berkshire Hathaway made headlines by selling one-third of its shares in VeriSign, a U.S. Internet domain name service provider. The move led to a 6.2% drop in VeriSign’s stock price in pre-market trading, showcasing the influence of Buffett’s investment decisions on the market.

Amidst these fluctuations in various sectors, Wall Street seems less concerned about the impact of tariffs as the Federal Reserve meeting approaches, signaling a cautious yet optimistic outlook among investors. The evolving landscape of global trade, technological advancements, and investment strategies continue to shape the dynamics of the markets, creating opportunities and challenges for stakeholders across industries.