Nvidia’s Stellar Earnings Ignite Tech Rally, But Broader Markets Remain Cautious Amid Fed Worries
Investors found a reason to party on Wednesday evening as U.S. stock index futures, led by tech giants, danced higher. Nvidia, the tech darling, stole the show with stellar earnings and a rosy forecast, sending the sector into a frenzy. This AI bellwether’s performance sparked enough optimism to overshadow the usual inflation worries and high interest rate grumblings, even with the Fed’s late-April meeting minutes revealing a cautious stance on economic recovery.
By 20:04 ET (00:04 GMT), S&P 500 Futures had ticked up 0.2% to 5,340.75 points, and Nasdaq 100 Futures climbed 0.5% to 18,872.00 points. The Dow Jones Futures, ever the contrarian, dipped 0.1% to 39,739.0 points.
Nvidia (NASDAQ:NVDA) was the superstar, surging 6% in aftermarket trading to a record $1,006.95 per share, buoyed by blowout first-quarter earnings and a promising revenue forecast. The announcement of a 10-for-one stock split only sweetened the deal. This chipmaker’s success signaled robust AI industry demand, lifting shares of its peers: Advanced Micro Devices (NASDAQ:AMD) and Broadcom (NASDAQ:AVGO) both jumped 2%, while Intel (NASDAQ:INTC) edged up 0.5%. Memory chip maker Micron Technology (NASDAQ:MU) rose 2.4%, and chip designer Arm Holdings (NASDAQ:ARM) gained 3.2%.
However, despite Nvidia’s sparkling performance, Wall Street couldn’t shake off the jitters. Concerns over sticky inflation and persistent high-interest rates, underscored by the Fed’s latest musings, weighed heavily on broader equities. The S&P 500 ended the day down 0.3% at 5,307.01 points, the Nasdaq Composite dipped 0.2% to 16,801.54 points, and the Dow Jones Industrial Average fell 0.5% to 39,671.04 points, all retreating from their earlier record highs.
Adding to the market’s unease, Goldman Sachs CEO David Solomon poured cold water on hopes for rate cuts in 2024. And in the aftermarket shuffle, Live Nation Entertainment (NYSE:LYV) took a nosedive, dropping 9% on news of a potential DOJ lawsuit over Ticketmaster’s alleged monopolistic practices. Conversely, News Corp (NASDAQ:NWSA) surged over 4% after inking a content-sharing deal with OpenAI, offering a glimmer of excitement amid the regulatory gloom.
Justice Department to Sue Live Nation, Eyeing Ticketmaster Breakup After Taylor Swift Ticket Fiasco
The U.S. Department of Justice and a coalition of states are turning up the heat on Live Nation Entertainment (NYSE:LYV), planning to sue and possibly break up the concert giant, Bloomberg News revealed on Wednesday. This lawsuit is the latest salvo in an antitrust offensive against Ticketmaster’s ticket-selling empire.
The Justice Department has been eyeing Ticketmaster’s near-monopoly on concert tickets, sources previously whispered to Reuters. Fans and lawmakers have long been itching to revisit the 2010 Live Nation-Ticketmaster merger, especially after the disastrous ticket sales for Taylor Swift’s tour.
Bloomberg reports that the legal fireworks are expected to ignite in the Southern District of New York on Thursday.
This legal showdown highlights President Joe Biden’s antitrust enforcers’ determination to stir up competition across various sectors, from Big Tech to healthcare to groceries. It also shows the formidable power and fury of concert-goers and Swifties, Swift’s devoted fanbase.
Live Nation landed in hot water in 2022 after Ticketmaster bungled the ticket sales for Swift’s 2023 tour, leaving fans in digital limbo for up to eight hours and canceling some sales altogether.
Investing on a Thursday is like playing a wildcard in a game of poker: the week is more than halfway through, the market has shown some of its cards, but there’s still enough time for a surprise move before the weekend. It’s the day when midweek reflections meet end-of-week expectations, and savvy investors can seize opportunities that others might overlook in their haste to plan Friday’s escape. Think of it as catching the stock market in a thoughtful mood, perhaps over a cup of coffee, contemplating its next big play—an ideal moment for those who enjoy a bit of calculated risk with their morning brew.