Semis Rally as Micron, AMD and Credo Gain; Hang Seng, Nasdaq Rise | MarketReader Minute

Global equity indices rise amid geopolitical tensions, while Canada sees inflation drop to 2.8% and Eurozone construction output hits a seven-month high.

Welcome to the MarketReader Minute.

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

Monday, July 20

Noteworthy macro moves today: Hang Seng 50 Index (China) +2.5%. Nasdaq 100 Index (US) +1.0%. Noteworthy US mega-cap moves today: NVIDIA Corp (NVDA) +1.9%. Space Exploration Technologies Corp. Class A Common Stock (SPCX) +1.2%. Exxon Mobil Corp (XOM) -1.1%.

Global equity indices are trading higher, with notable gains in the Hang Seng 50 Index, which rose by 2.5%, and the Nasdaq 100 Index, which increased by 1%. U.S. mega-cap stocks also showed positive movement, particularly NVIDIA Corp, which gained 1.9%. This upward trend comes amid ongoing geopolitical tensions in the Middle East that have driven oil prices higher.

In economic news today, Canada reported a decline in its headline inflation rate to 2.8% for June, down from a previous high of 3.2%, slightly below market expectations of 2.9%. This drop was attributed to easing prices in gasoline and transportation sectors as energy exports from the Middle East resumed.

Additionally, Eurozone construction output increased by 1.2% year-on-year in May, marking its highest level in seven months despite mixed performance across various sectors within Europe today; while indices like the DAX and CAC 40 were up, the FTSE 100 faced declines.

Germany's producer prices rose by 1.8% year-on-year for June but showed a month-to-month decline of -0.3%, raising concerns about potential deflationary trends amidst rising costs influenced by geopolitical factors.

iShares China Large-Cap ETF (FXI) [+2.9%]
China's commitment to achieving its annual economic targets, highlighted in a report by CCTV, has contributed to positive sentiment surrounding Chinese equities, including the iShares China Large-Cap ETF. Additionally, the People's Bank of China's decision to keep its Loan Prime Rates unchanged may further support market stability and bolster investor confidence. In pre-market trading, the ETF is advancing, supported by significant gains from key holdings such as TCOM, which returned 5.3%, JD at 3.27%, and LI at 1.62%. These factors align with the overall upward movement observed in the ETF today.

VanEck Semiconductor ETF (SMH) [+2.6%]
The VanEck Semiconductor ETF is trading higher in pre-market hours, reflecting a notable shift in momentum ahead of the market open. This movement follows a period of significant declines, with the ETF experiencing its worst week since March 2025. Contributing to today's advance, the top holdings include NVIDIA, Micron Technology, and Lam Research, all of which posted positive returns. Additionally, the Nasdaq 100 Index has increased, showing a strong historical correlation with SMH, which may be supporting its upward movement. Despite recent volatility and cautious sentiment surrounding semiconductor investments, today's pre-market performance indicates a potential rebound for the sector.

iShares Global Infrastructure ETF (IGF) [+1.2%]
Crude oil prices surged above $80 per barrel due to escalating tensions between the U.S. and Iran, significantly impacting global energy markets. This increase is likely to influence operational expenses and investment decisions for infrastructure companies within the iShares Global Infrastructure ETF's portfolio. Additionally, India's infrastructure output rose by 5% year-on-year for June 2026, potentially benefiting related investments tracked by the ETF amid ongoing geopolitical challenges. In pre-market trading, the iShares Global Infrastructure ETF is advancing, supported by contributions from top holdings such as Duke Energy, Kinder Morgan, and Williams Companies. The AUD/USD currency pair also moved higher, reflecting a moderate historical correlation with the ETF and contributing to its positive performance. Overall, the ETF is gaining traction in the pre-market hours following a rebound in global equity indices.

MU | +5.0% | +49.2B
Micron Technology Inc | Information Technology

Morgan Stanley's recent note highlights a buying opportunity in U.S. memory stocks, including Micron Technology Inc, following a selloff. The firm noted that data center memory shortages are intensifying, with prices increasing by over 25% in the third quarter, indicating robust demand. Analyst Joseph Moore emphasized that the current memory cycle is atypical, driven by data center needs, and suggested that concerns about deceleration in other sectors may be misleading. Additionally, Micron reaffirmed its expectation of a tight memory chip supply extending beyond 2027, further supporting investor confidence amid ongoing AI-driven demand for memory solutions. As a result, Micron Technology Inc is trading sharply higher in pre-market hours, aligning with the broader market's upward movement.

AMD | +3.7% | +30.7B
Advanced Micro Devices Inc | Information Technology

Advanced Micro Devices Inc is experiencing positive price movement in pre-market trading, driven by speculation surrounding its upcoming Advancing AI conference. Reports suggest that AMD may be close to securing Anthropic as a customer, following a code file indicating such a partnership. This speculation has been bolstered by bullish sentiment on social media platforms. Analysts predict potential catalysts from the conference, including raised guidance and announcements of new customers, which could enhance investor interest ahead of AMD's quarterly results due on August 4. The stock has shown resilience despite recent declines, maintaining a strong year-to-date performance. Additionally, the Nasdaq 100 Index's upward movement may be contributing to AMD's gains, reflecting a historical correlation between the two.

CRDO | +4.2% | +1.5B
Credo Technology Group Holding Ltd | Information Technology

Barclays analyst Tom O'Malley raised the price target on Credo Technology Group Holding Ltd to $300 from $260, maintaining an Overweight rating. This reassessment is contributing to the stock's upward movement during pre-market hours, which is also aligned with the broader market and the semiconductor sector gaining significantly. Discussions on social media highlight the company's potential in the optical interconnect market, with expectations for substantial scale as large Active Electrical Cable (AEC) customers deploy GPUs. Bill Brennan emphasized Credo's ability to rapidly bring products to market and the importance of its vertically integrated technology stack.

DPZ | +6.5% | +0.8B
Domino's Pizza Inc | Consumer Discretionary

Domino's Pizza Inc. shares gained significantly in pre-market trading following the release of its second-quarter earnings results. The company reported a revenue increase of 4.3% year-over-year to $1.194 billion, surpassing analyst expectations of $1.18 billion. However, earnings per share came in at $4.07, below the projected $4.19. Despite this shortfall, CEO Russell Weiner emphasized strong order growth as essential for long-term success amid challenges in the quick-service restaurant sector. The positive sentiment from the earnings report contributed to a notable rise in share price, with trading up approximately 8% prior to market open. Earlier in the session, shares pulled back from a session high but remain higher since Friday's close.

LCID | -4.0% | -0.7B
Lucid Group Inc | Consumer Discretionary

Lucid Group Inc. is facing renewed scrutiny following the announcement of a class action lawsuit by Pomerantz LLP. The lawsuit alleges that Lucid misled investors regarding significant supplier quality issues that have impacted deliveries of the Lucid Gravity. The claims cover the period from February 25, 2026, to April 13, 2026, and assert that the company overstated its operational enhancements while failing to disclose the negative effects of these disruptions on its business performance. This development contributes to ongoing concerns about Lucid's operational challenges and financial stability. As a result, shares are trading lower during pre-market hours, reflecting negative sentiment in the market.

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