- Barry Adams
- 12 Aug, 2026
- New York City
U.S. stocks edged higher as investors reacted to the latest batch of quarterly results; however, lingering uncertainty over energy shipments from the Middle East muted advances.
The S&P 500 Index increased 0.3%, and the tech-heavy Nasdaq Composite advanced 0.7% as investors reviewed results from Foxconn, Super Micro Computer, and CoreWeave.
High-flying AI-related and semiconductor-related stocks extended this week's gains, after Super Micro Computer reported strong quarterly results and a revenue update.
Middle East tensions weighed on investors' sentiment after Iran-backed Houthi rebels claimed responsibility for attacks on a cargo ship that killed six people in the Bab el-Mandeb Strait on Tuesday.
Later the U.S. forces confirmed they fired missiles targeting a container ship that allegedly violated the U.S. blockade of Iranian ports in the Gulf of Oman.
The West Texas Intermediate crude oil price per barrel decreased 0.1% to $83.07, and the Brent crude oil price eased 0.1% to $88.74.
The U.S. annual consumer price inflation weakened for the second consecutive month in July, but prices are still rising faster than the Fed's target rate, complicating policymakers' task.
Overall and core consumer price inflation slowed in July from June, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
The annual consumer price inflation eased to 3.4% in July from 3.5% in June and declined for the second consecutive month after reaching a two-year high of 4.2% in May.
The annual core inflation, which excludes volatile food and energy prices, slowed to 2.5% from 2.4%.
U.S. consumer price inflation has remained above the Federal Reserve's 2% annual target for over five consecutive years, extending into its sixth straight year as of mid-2026.
U.S. Movers
Super Micro Computer increased 9.2% to $34.52 after the server maker reported strong fiscal fourth quarter results ending in June.
Revenue soared to $11.1 billion from $5.4 billion, net income soared to $1.2 billion from $195 million, and diluted earnings per share advanced to $1.62 from 31 cents a year ago.
Net sales for the full fiscal year ended June 30, 2026, soared to $39.1 billion from $22.0 billion; net income for the fiscal year surged to $2.2 billion from $1.0 billion, and diluted earnings per share increased to $3.26 from $1.68 a year ago.
For fiscal year 2027, the company expects net sales in the range of $65.0 billion to $72.0 billion, confirming the sustained demand from AI-powered data centers.
Revenue in the fiscal first quarter ending in September to range between $14.5 billion and $15.5 billion, diluted earnings per share between 89 cents and 98 cents, and adjusted earnings per share between $1.01 and $1.10.
CoreWeave soared 17.7% to $106.32 after the cloud computing infrastructure provider reported slightly better-than-expected adjusted margins in the second quarter.
Revenue increased to $2.7 billion from $1.2 billion, net loss expanded to $626 million from $290 million, and diluted loss per share increased to $1.14 from 60 cents a year ago.
Adjusted operating income decreased to $128 million from $200 million, and adjusted operating income margin eased to 5% from 16%, but it was ahead of market expectations.
- Barry Adams
- 12 Aug, 2026
- New York City
U.S. stocks edged higher as investors reacted to the latest batch of quarterly results; however, lingering uncertainty over energy shipments from the Middle East muted advances.
The S&P 500 Index increased 0.3%, and the tech-heavy Nasdaq Composite advanced 0.7% as investors reviewed results from Foxconn, Super Micro Computer, and CoreWeave.
High-flying AI-related and semiconductor-related stocks extended this week's gains, after Super Micro Computer reported strong quarterly results and a revenue update.
Middle East tensions weighed on investors' sentiment after Iran-backed Houthi rebels claimed responsibility for attacks on a cargo ship that killed six people in the Bab el-Mandeb Strait on Tuesday.
Later the U.S. forces confirmed they fired missiles targeting a container ship that allegedly violated the U.S. blockade of Iranian ports in the Gulf of Oman.
The West Texas Intermediate crude oil price per barrel decreased 0.1% to $83.07, and the Brent crude oil price eased 0.1% to $88.74.
U.S. Movers
Super Micro Computer increased 9.2% to $34.52 after the server maker reported strong fiscal fourth quarter results ending in June.
Revenue soared to $11.1 billion from $5.4 billion, net income soared to $1.2 billion from $195 million, and diluted earnings per share advanced to $1.62 from 31 cents a year ago.
Net sales for the full fiscal year ended June 30, 2026, soared to $39.1 billion from $22.0 billion; net income for the fiscal year surged to $2.2 billion from $1.0 billion, and diluted earnings per share increased to $3.26 from $1.68 a year ago.
For fiscal year 2027, the company expects net sales in the range of $65.0 billion to $72.0 billion, confirming the sustained demand from AI-powered data centers.
Revenue in the fiscal first quarter ending in September to range between $14.5 billion and $15.5 billion, diluted earnings per share between 89 cents and 98 cents, and adjusted earnings per share between $1.01 and $1.10.
CoreWeave soared 17.7% to $106.32 after the cloud computing infrastructure provider reported slightly better-than-expected adjusted margins in the second quarter.
Revenue increased to $2.7 billion from $1.2 billion, net loss expanded to $626 million from $290 million, and diluted loss per share increased to $1.14 from 60 cents a year ago.
Adjusted operating income decreased to $128 million from $200 million, and adjusted operating income margin eased to 5% from 16%, but it was ahead of market expectations.
- Akira Ito
- 12 Aug, 2026
- Tokyo
Stocks in Japan headed higher, and benchmark indexes extended this week's gains as technology and financial stocks powered the upsurge.
The Nikkei 225 Stock Average inched higher by 0.6%, the broader TOPIX edged up 0.7%, and the yen weakened to 159.38 against the U.S. dollar.
Tech stocks extended gains for the third session in a row in Tokyo following positive results from CoreWeave and a strong sales outlook from Super Micro Computer, supporting the sustainability of the global AI trade.
The yen gave up about half of the gains since the U.S.-Japan joint intervention about ten days ago, confirming that the persistent rate differentials and the lagging BoJ's rate hikes are driving the investor sentiment.
The Brent crude oil price per barrel increased 0.7% to $89.49 as the U.S. and Iran sent contradictory signals over the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz, used for about 20% of the global supply of crude oil.
Japan Indexes and Stocks
The Nikkei 225 Stock Average edged up 0.6% to 67,376.05, and the broader TOPIX gained 0.7% to 4,127.64.
Kioxia Holdings soared 4.4% to ¥50,140.0, Advantest Corp. increased 2.4% to ¥35,110.0, Tokyo Electron advanced 2.3% to ¥58,040.0, and Ibiden Corp. gained 2.5% to ¥20,570.0.
- Akira Ito
- 12 Aug, 2026
- Tokyo
Stocks in Japan headed higher, and benchmark indexes extended this week's gains as technology and financial stocks powered the upsurge.
The Nikkei 225 Stock Average inched higher by 0.6%, the broader TOPIX edged up 0.7%, and the yen weakened to 159.38 against the U.S. dollar.
Tech stocks extended gains for the third session in a row in Tokyo following positive results from CoreWeave and a strong sales outlook from Super Micro Computer, supporting the sustainability of the global AI trade.
The yen gave up about half of the gains since the U.S.-Japan joint intervention about ten days ago, confirming that the persistent rate differentials and the lagging BoJ's rate hikes are driving the investor sentiment.
The Brent crude oil price per barrel increased 0.7% to $89.49 as the U.S. and Iran sent contradictory signals over the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz, used for about 20% of the global supply of crude oil.
Japan Indexes and Stocks
The Nikkei 225 Stock Average edged up 0.6% to 67,376.05, and the broader TOPIX gained 0.7% to 4,127.64.
Kioxia Holdings soared 4.4% to ¥50,140.0, Advantest Corp. increased 2.4% to ¥35,110.0, Tokyo Electron advanced 2.3% to ¥58,040.0, and Ibiden Corp. gained 2.5% to ¥20,570.0.
- Li Chen
- 12 Aug, 2026
- Hong Kong
China's indexes struggled to stay above the flatline amid uncertainty over energy shipments through the Strait of Hormuz and renewed optimism linked to AI trade.
The Hang Seng Index decreased 1.2%, and the mainland-focused CSI 300 Index edged up 0.6% as technology stocks led the recovery.
The Brent crude oil price per barrel increased 1% to $89.05 as the U.S. and Iran sent contradictory signals over the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz, used for about 20% of the global supply of crude oil.
Tech stocks advanced following the strong quarterly sales growth from CoreWeave and the upbeat sales outlook by Super Micro Computer.
Moreover, investors are excited for the release of quarterly results from Semiconductor Manufacturing International Corp., which could offer fresh insights into chip demand.
Benchmark indexes in Shanghai and Hong Kong have struggled to advance over the last three weeks, partly driven by a weakening macroeconomic outlook and uncertainty over energy shipments from the Middle East.
The rebound in volatile tech stocks has also driven semiconductor- and AI-linked stocks higher, despite worries over stretched valuations and the difficulties of monetizing AI-driven products and services.
China Indexes and Stocks
The Hang Seng Index decreased 1.2% to 25,350.74, and the mainland-focused CSI 300 Index edged up 0.6% to 4,690.52.
Zhongji Innolight increased 4.5% to ¥926.41, Eoptolink Technology gained 4.4% to ¥435.90, Cambricon Technologies Corp. advanced 3.4% to ¥1,124.0, and Victory Giant Technology edged up 1.2% to ¥277.90.
Alibaba Group Holding decreased 3.4% to ¥277.90, Tencent Holdings dropped 3.1% to HK $456.40, and Meituan declined 1.8% to HK $91.35.
- Li Chen
- 12 Aug, 2026
- Hong Kong
China's indexes struggled to stay above the flatline amid uncertainty over energy shipments through the Strait of Hormuz and renewed optimism linked to AI trade.
The Hang Seng Index decreased 1.2%, and the mainland-focused CSI 300 Index edged up 0.6% as technology stocks led the recovery.
The Brent crude oil price per barrel increased 1% to $89.05 as the U.S. and Iran sent contradictory signals over the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz, used for about 20% of the global supply of crude oil.
Tech stocks advanced following the strong quarterly sales growth from CoreWeave and the upbeat sales outlook by Super Micro Computer.
Moreover, investors are excited for the release of quarterly results from Semiconductor Manufacturing International Corp., which could offer fresh insights into chip demand.
Benchmark indexes in Shanghai and Hong Kong have struggled to advance over the last three weeks, partly driven by a weakening macroeconomic outlook and uncertainty over energy shipments from the Middle East.
The rebound in volatile tech stocks has also driven semiconductor- and AI-linked stocks higher, despite worries over stretched valuations and the difficulties of monetizing AI-driven products and services.
China Indexes and Stocks
The Hang Seng Index decreased 1.2% to 25,350.74, and the mainland-focused CSI 300 Index edged up 0.6% to 4,690.52.
Zhongji Innolight increased 4.5% to ¥926.41, Eoptolink Technology gained 4.4% to ¥435.90, Cambricon Technologies Corp. advanced 3.4% to ¥1,124.0, and Victory Giant Technology edged up 1.2% to ¥277.90.
Alibaba Group Holding decreased 3.4% to ¥277.90, Tencent Holdings dropped 3.1% to HK $456.40, and Meituan declined 1.8% to HK $91.35.
- Barry Adams
- 11 Aug, 2026
- New York City
Stocks in New York lacked momentum on Tuesday, as investors reviewed the situation in the Middle East.
The S&P 500 Index increased 0.1%, and the tech-heavy Nasdaq Composite advanced 0.3% amid a growing concern over the prospect of reopening the Strait of Hormuz.
Iran avoided direct talks with the U.S. while continuing to set terms for reopening of the narrow passage for oil shipments in talks through the intermediary Oman.
The West Texas Intermediate crude oil price per barrel decreased 0.4% to $81.36, and the Brent crude oil price per barrel declined 0.5% to $87.45.
The yield on 10-year U.S. Treasury notes inched higher to 4.73% as surging oil prices strengthened expectations that the Federal Reserve could raise rates sooner than expected.
U.S. Movers
Intel dropped 1.4% to $96.20 after the chipmaker expanded its public offering to $20 billion from $15 billion, as the company seeks additional capital to expand its production capacity for artificial intelligence computing power.
Plug Power soared 13.4% to $2.40 after the electrical equipment maker reported better-than-expected results in the second quarter.
Net revenue increased to $178.3 million from $174.0 million, net loss shrank to $190.1 million from $228.7 million, and diluted loss per share eased to 14 cents from 20 cents a year ago.
The hydrogen cell technology company raised its full-year 2026 revenue growth estimate to between 15% and 16%, and estimated operating earnings to return to positive in the fourth quarter, citing its solid order backlog.
Hims & Hers Health dropped 5.7% to $29.96 after the telehealth platform operator reported its results for the second quarter.
Revenue increased to $753.2 million from $544.8 million, net income swung to a loss of $86.3 million from a profit of $42.5 million, and diluted earnings per share swung to a loss of 37 cents from a profit of 17 cents.
The company estimated revenue in the third quarter to range between $880 million and $900 million and adjusted operating income between $75 million and $95 million.
For the full year 2026, the company estimated revenue to fall between $3.1 billion and $3.3 billion and adjusted operating income between $275 million and $325 million.