Global Markets Climb on UK Growth Boost While Asia Wavers Amid Oil Tensions | MarketReader Minute

European equities surged after the UK economy unexpectedly expanded in March, lifting investor confidence and driving gains in the DAX and major tech shares. Asian markets traded lower as rising oil prices and geopolitical tensions fueled inflation concerns ahead of key U.S.-China trade discussions.

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Thursday, May 14

Noteworthy macro moves today: DAX 30 Index (Germany) +1.6%. Noteworthy US mega-cap moves today: NVIDIA Corp (NVDA) +1.9%. Eli Lilly and Co (LLY) -0.8%. JPMorgan Chase & Co (JPM) +0.7%.

Global equity markets are trading higher following the release of stronger-than-expected economic data from the U.K., which showed GDP growth of 0.3% in March, defying forecasts for a contraction and indicating resilience in the economy despite ongoing uncertainties. This positive sentiment has contributed to gains across European indices, particularly the DAX, which is up significantly.

In the U.S., initial jobless claims rose to 211,000 this morning, exceeding expectations of a rise to only 205,000 and suggesting potential weakening in labor market conditions despite previous indications of strength. The increase in jobless claims has led to concerns about future Federal Reserve policy decisions as inflationary pressures remain evident with import prices surging by 1.9%, further complicating the economic outlook.

Additionally, retail sales data released today indicated a month-over-month increase of 0.5%, aligning with expectations and reflecting stable consumer demand amid rising inflation concerns highlighted by concurrent reports on import and export prices rising sharply. These mixed signals from the labor market and consumer spending are likely influencing investor sentiment as they assess implications for monetary policy moving forward amidst fluctuating economic dynamics.

iShares China Large-Cap ETF (FXI) [-2.3%]
The U.S.-China summit in Beijing concluded with an agreement aimed at fostering a "constructive China-U.S. relationship of strategic stability," which may influence global trade dynamics and impact large-cap Chinese stocks represented by iShares China Large-Cap ETF. Concurrently, rising inflation concerns were noted as U.S. producer prices surged more than anticipated, contributing to market volatility that could affect sentiment towards emerging markets like China. In pre-market trading, FXI is declining, reflecting a drop that reached as low as -2.50% earlier this morning. The top contributors to this decline include Tencent Holdings, which fell by -2.63%, and Trip.com Group, down -2.43%.
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SPDR Dow Jones Industrial Average ETF Trust (DIA) [+0.7%]
U.S. stock futures rose today amid optimism surrounding President Trump's upcoming meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping, which may signal a thaw in trade tensions. This sentiment was further supported by the Senate's confirmation of Kevin Warsh as the new Federal Reserve chair, perceived as favorable for market conditions. The SPDR Dow Jones Industrial Average ETF Trust benefited from this positive environment, reflecting bullish retail sentiment on Stocktwits. Strong performances from semiconductor stocks, particularly Nvidia, and broader AI-driven gains contributed to the overall market uplift, supporting the ETF's upward movement. In pre-market trading, the ETF was modestly higher since Wednesday's close, indicating a strong performance backdrop as it positioned near the upper end of its one-month range.

CSCO | +15.4% |+72.9B
Cisco Systems Inc | Communications Equipment

Cisco Systems Inc. reported strong fiscal third-quarter results, with revenue of $15.84 billion, a 12% increase year-over-year, and adjusted earnings per share of $1.06, surpassing analyst expectations. The company also announced a strategic restructuring, which includes cutting nearly 4,000 jobs to focus on growth areas such as artificial intelligence and security. This restructuring is expected to incur up to $1 billion in pre-tax charges. Following these announcements, Cisco raised its fiscal 2026 revenue guidance to a range of $62.8 billion to $63 billion, significantly above prior estimates, and projected AI-related orders to reach $9 billion for the year. Despite a pullback from an earlier session high, shares are gaining in pre-market trading, reflecting strong investor sentiment following these developments.

ARM | -4.2% | -9.4B
Arm Holdings PLC | Semiconductors

A report indicating a potential easing of CPU shortages has contributed to a decline in Arm Holdings PLC's stock price. Despite impressive demand for Arm's new AGI CPU and a maintained price target of $205, the overall sentiment in the CPU market remains cautious. A UBS report noted that while Arm and AMD are gaining server market share at Intel's expense, PC shipments have fallen below seasonal norms for two consecutive quarters. This mixed news likely influenced the stock's downward movement. Earlier in the session, shares rebounded from a session low but are now trading lower since Wednesday's close.

BIIB | +6.7% |+2.1B
Biogen Inc | Biotechnology

Biogen Inc experienced a notable increase in its stock price following the announcement of compelling topline results from the Phase 2 CELIA study of diranersen, an investigational therapy for early Alzheimer's disease. The results, published within the last hour, showed significant reductions in tau pathology and cognitive decline across all tested doses, particularly at the lowest dose administered every 24 weeks. While the study did not meet its primary endpoint, the findings indicate a strong biomarker impact and cognitive benefits, prompting Biogen to plan for registrational development. The safety profile was consistent with earlier studies, further supporting investor optimism. Earlier in the session, the stock pulled back from a session high but remains higher since Wednesday's close.

INTC | -4.0% | -19.9B
Intel Corp | Semiconductors

Intel Corp's stock is declining in pre-market trading, primarily due to an updated report indicating that competitors AMD and ARM have gained market share in the server chip sector at Intel's expense. UBS reported Intel's market share dropped to 54.9% in Q1 2026, down from 64.4% a year earlier. This shift, alongside broader market sentiment regarding easing CPU shortages, has negatively impacted investor confidence. Although Intel announced a multi-year partnership with McLaren Racing, this development has not alleviated concerns about competitive pressures in the semiconductor industry. Social media discussions reflect bearish sentiment, with notable put option activity suggesting a significant exit from positions. Despite some positive developments, such as potential talks with Apple and a $5 billion investment from Nvidia, skepticism about Intel's market position persists.

NOK | +4.7% |+4.0B
Nokia Oyj | Communications Equipment

Nokia Oyj's shares are advancing in pre-market trading, driven by several positive developments. The stock gained momentum following Cisco's strong quarterly results and optimistic guidance, which highlighted robust corporate spending on networking infrastructure. This trend aligns with Nokia's recent announcement regarding the integration of new AI capabilities into its fixed-network portfolio, enhancing its competitive edge in the AI-driven market. Retail enthusiasm has surged, with sentiment on Stocktwits shifting to 'extremely bullish.' Additionally, social media discussions reflect excitement over Nokia's transformation into an AI infrastructure player, particularly following its acquisition of Infinera, which positions the company as a leader in optical networking and AI-RAN technology. Overall, these factors have contributed to heightened investor interest and a marked increase in Nokia's stock performance.

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