U.S. stock futures slipped early Thursday as escalating Middle East tensions, semiconductor weakness, and fresh economic data kept investors cautious ahead of the open.
Nasdaq futures (QQQ) declined 0.5%, Russell 2000 futures fell 0.3%, S&P 500 futures (SPY) dropped 0.1%, and Dow futures were flat with a negative bias as of 4:00 a.m. ET.
U.S. military strikes on Iran continued for a fifth straight day, with Tehran threatening retaliation and raising widespread concerns over potential disruptions to global energy supplies.
Oil stocks including USO, XOM, and CVX remain in sharp focus as crude supply chains brace for impact following Iran’s vow to exert control over the vital Strait of Hormuz.
Despite the pressure on futures, Stocktwits data showed retail sentiment on both the SPDR S&P 500 ETF (SPY) and the Invesco QQQ Trust (QQQ) remained firmly in “bullish” territory.
The AI infrastructure debate intensified after “Big Short” investor Michael Burry mocked the data-center boom by calling it a “Fantasy,” even as President Donald Trump described data centers as future “money machines” capable of generating jobs and tax revenue.
Taiwan Semiconductor (TSM) is drawing significant investor attention after posting blowout June-quarter earnings driven by booming AI demand, while also formalizing a $100 billion expansion plan to build four additional chip fabrication plants in the U.S.
Nvidia Corp. (NVDA) is trending on Stocktwits as it deepens its footprint in Japan, including new partnerships with Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Toyota, and other enterprises across the country.
ASML Holding (ASML) is gaining momentum after smashing Q2 expectations and hiking its full-year 2026 revenue guidance, with retail traders calling it the “ultimate hardware gatekeeper.”
AtaiBeckley Inc. (ATAI) surged 43% in early premarket trading following reports that Eli Lilly (LLY) is negotiating a premium buyout valued north of $2 billion to expand its neuroscience portfolio, with venture investors suggesting an acquisition price between $9 and $11 per share.
AST SpaceMobile Inc. (ASTS) tumbled 12% in premarket trading after the company announced a $1 billion private offering of convertible senior notes, with management saying proceeds could fund acquisitions and further vertical integration.
Netflix (NFLX) is drawing strong retail attention ahead of its earnings report, with investors closely watching subscriber trends, advertising momentum, and management’s outlook for the remainder of the year.
SK Hynix Inc ADR (SKHY) remained volatile, tumbling over 11% in Seoul and leading a broader Asian semiconductor rout that added to the pressure across the chip sector.
Other tickers trending on Stocktwits included Uber Technologies (UBER), Gorilla Technologies (GRRR), Transocean (RIG), Sandisk (SNDK), and Alibaba Group (BABA) at the time of writing.
On the economic front, investors will be tracking U.S. initial jobless claims, retail sales, the Philadelphia Fed Manufacturing Index, and the pending home sales index throughout the session.
On the earnings front, Abbott Laboratories (ABT), UnitedHealth (UNH), U.S. Bancorp (USB), State Street (STT), Citizens Financial (CFG), and Wipro (WIT) report before the bell, while Netflix (NFLX), Intuitive Surgical (ISRG), and Alcoa (AA) report after market close.
