Nvidia Slumps on Leadership Concerns as Semis and Nasdaq 100 Fall | MarketReader Minute

U.S. equity markets decline led by Nasdaq amid Nvidia concerns, while rising yields and jobless claims signal economic reassessment; UK shows mixed growth indicators.

Welcome to the MarketReader Minute.

Below are AI-generated insights on today's premarket moves, powered by MarketReader technology.

Thursday, November 12

Noteworthy macro moves today: Gold -2.1%. Nasdaq 100 Index (US) -1.1%. S&P 500 Index (US) -0.7%. Noteworthy US mega-cap moves today: NVIDIA Corporation (NVDA) -8.8%. SK Hynix Inc (SKHY) -5.0%. Micron Technology, Inc. (MU) -4.6%.

Global equity indices are trading generally lower, with notable declines in U.S. markets led by the Nasdaq 100, which is down significantly due to concerns surrounding Nvidia's leadership amid reports of internal issues. The S&P 500 and Dow Jones indices are also experiencing losses as investors reassess their positions in technology stocks following Nvidia's sharp drop of nearly 9%. This negative sentiment is compounded by rising yields and expectations for further interest rate hikes from the Federal Reserve.

In the U.S., initial jobless claims released today rose to 200k for the week ending November 7, above market expectations of 195k, indicating a slight increase in unemployment filings but still reflecting a robust labor market overall. Continuing claims fell to 1.679m, suggesting ongoing strength despite elevated interest rates and inflation pressures.

In the United Kingdom, several economic indicators released today showed stronger-than-expected performance: GDP grew by 0.2% month-on-month and annual growth accelerated to 1.9%, matching forecasts while manufacturing production rose by an unexpected 0.7%. However, trade balances widened significantly with a goods trade deficit reaching -22.29 billion GBP, raising concerns about economic stability despite positive growth metrics.

European equity markets are mixed; while the CAC 40 and DAX have posted gains on strong corporate earnings reports, other indices like the Euro Stoxx 50 and AEX are lower amid broader market volatility influenced by geopolitical tensions and inflationary pressures across regions.

VanEck Semiconductor ETF (SMH) [-3.0%]
NVIDIA's stock fell significantly following a downgrade amid leadership concerns related to corruption allegations, driving declines in the VanEck Semiconductor ETF during pre-market hours. Sharp drops were also seen in key holdings such as Micron, Marvell, KLA, and Analog Devices. This downturn coincides with broader market pressures, as the Nasdaq 100 Index is modestly lower, influenced by worries over U.S.-China relations and expectations of accelerated Federal Reserve rate hikes. Social media posts indicate ongoing discussions about SMH's price movements, with one user analyzing its current positioning and suggesting it has entered a correction phase. The fund is trading well below its 20-day moving average and remains near the lower end of its one-month range.

iShares MSCI South Korea ETF (EWY) [-2.3%]
The iShares MSCI South Korea ETF is experiencing a decline, driven by sharp drops in its holdings, particularly SK Hynix Inc and SK Telecom Co Ltd. The semiconductor sector faced pressure following significant declines in related stocks, including NVIDIA Corporation, which is dealing with leadership uncertainties. This downward movement coincides with mixed economic data and upcoming reports from the U.S. housing market. Additionally, the Nasdaq 100 Index is slightly lower amid broader market concerns stemming from Nvidia's turmoil. The ETF is trading lower in pre-market hours, positioned significantly below its 20-day moving average and near the lower end of its one-month range.

Global X Copper Miners ETF (COPX) [-2.3%]
BHP's announcement of a leadership transition has contributed to notable declines in key holdings such as BHP, Teck Resources, Southern Copper, and Freeport-McMoRan, leading to a downward trend in Global X Copper Miners ETF during pre-market hours. Freeport-McMoRan's drop coincides with a decrease in the United States Copper Index Fund. Although Hudbay Minerals reported strong financial results, it fell short of earnings expectations, providing limited support to the ETF's overall movement. The United States Copper Index Fund is also lower, aligning with COPX's decline. The ETF is trading well below its 20-day moving average and near the lower end of its one-month range.

BN | -2.0% | -2.0B
Brookfield Corporation | Financials

Brookfield Corporation reported a substantial increase in third-quarter earnings, with net income rising to $1.305 billion from $219 million a year earlier, and earnings per share (EPS) climbing to $0.54 from $0.08. Revenues also grew to $20.691 billion, up from $18.917 billion last year, surpassing analyst expectations. Despite these strong results, the stock is declining in pre-market hours, continuing a trend of lower daily closes since Wednesday's close. Users on X discussed the earnings report, noting a 9.4% revenue increase and a 12.2% rise in distributable earnings before realizations, with DE per share of $0.73, reflecting a 16% increase that beat expectations by $0.06.

COIN | -4.4% | -1.5B
Coinbase Global, Inc. | Financials

B. Riley analyst Hal Goetsch lowered the price target on Coinbase Global, Inc. while maintaining a Neutral rating, published today at 7:42 AM ET. In pre-market trading, shares of Coinbase are declining, reflecting ongoing weakness in the broader performance context. Social media posts highlighted the recent rollout of Agent Controls, which allow users to manage AI agents' trading activities, and users expressed bullish sentiments about the growth of new businesses within Coinbase. However, Bitcoin's slight decline may also be influencing Coinbase's performance as the two assets have a historical correlation.

AFL | +2.3% | +1.5B
Aflac Incorporated | Financials

Aflac Incorporated announced a 4.9% increase in its quarterly dividend, raising it to $0.64 per share, payable on March 1, 2027, to shareholders of record on February 17, 2027. This marks the company's 44th consecutive year of dividend increases, reflecting its strong capital and cash flow position. Mizuho analyst Yaron Kinar also raised the price target for Aflac to $117 from $112 while maintaining an Underperform rating. In pre-market trading, shares are gaining significantly, following positive sentiment surrounding the dividend announcement. Users on X highlighted the dividend increase, noting Aflac's status as a Dividend Aristocrat.

TTEK | +11.0% | +1.2B
Tetra Tech, Inc. | Industrials

Tetra Tech, Inc. reported first-quarter results that surpassed KeyBanc's estimates, with an adjusted earnings per share (EPS) of $0.49, exceeding the forecast of $0.47. This performance was bolstered by revenue from the Department of State, contributing approximately $0.01 to EPS. The company's prior earnings report revealed a record fourth-quarter EPS of $0.51 and revenue of $1.34 billion, which also exceeded expectations and led to a significant rise in after-hours trading. Following these results, Tetra Tech's stock is trading sharply higher in pre-market hours, reflecting strong market sentiment. Social media posts highlighted the company's financial achievements, noting the 9% increase in adjusted EPS and a backlog growth of 13% to $4.67 billion.

ASND | +1.9% | +0.3B
Ascendis Pharma A/S | Health Care

Ascendis Pharma A/S reported robust third-quarter financial results, with total product revenue of €366 million, marking an 89% year-over-year increase. The company achieved a net profit of €74 million, or €1.08 per diluted share, exceeding analyst expectations of €0.80 per share. Revenue also surpassed forecasts, reaching €369.66 million against a consensus estimate of €362.98 million. The positive earnings report was bolstered by favorable regulatory opinions regarding its TransCon CNP treatment, with a final decision anticipated in Q4 2026 and a planned launch in Germany for Q1 2027. In pre-market trading, Ascendis Pharma's shares are advancing, reflecting strong investor sentiment following the earnings announcement.

Thank you for spending a minute with us.

If you have 2 more minutes, watch this demo of the MarketReader Platform:

Stay in the Loop

Check the MarketReader blog for the latest news, and follow us on X (Twitter) for real-time market insights: @marketreader_AI