US Inflation Hits 2.9% as Jobless Claims Surge; ECB Holds Rates Steady, Mogu Soars on $20M Crypto Investment Plan | MarketReader Minute

U.S. inflation rises to 2.9%, fueling speculation on Fed rate cuts, while ECB holds rates steady amid stable European inflation and rising U.S. jobless claims signal labor market concerns.

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Thursday, September 11

Noteworthy macro moves today: Oil (WTI) -1.5%. 

The U.S. annual inflation rate accelerated to 2.9% in August, the highest since January, aligning with market expectations and reflecting a monthly increase of 0.4%.

In Europe, the European Central Bank (ECB) decided to keep its key interest rates unchanged as anticipated amid stable inflation close to their target of around 2%. The ECB's latest projections indicate headline inflation averaging about 2.1% for this year while economic growth is expected at approximately 1.2%, slightly revised up from previous estimates.

Additionally, initial jobless claims in the U.S surged significantly by 27,000 last week, reaching a total of 263,000—marking one of the largest increases seen since October 2021—and indicating ongoing concerns over labor market conditions amidst broader macroeconomic uncertainties.

iShares MSCI Japan ETF (EWJ) [+0.5%]
Japan's Business Survey Index for large manufacturing conditions in Q3 reported a figure of 3.8, exceeding the estimated -3.3 and improving from -4.8 previously, signaling a recovery in manufacturing sentiment. Concurrently, the Nikkei 225 index rebounded, increasing by 0.87% to close at 43,837.67 points, bolstered by gains in financial stocks and mixed performances from technology companies. This positive movement contributed to the iShares MSCI Japan ETF's daily return of 0.44%. Additionally, fluctuations in USD/JPY negatively impacted the ETF's performance by 0.37%. Among its holdings, SoftBank Group Corp. saw a significant surge, with shares rising nearly 10% due to optimism surrounding its involvement in Oracle Corp.'s AI infrastructure projects.

Ethereum (ETH/USD) [+1.6%]
Ethereum has reached a price of 4,428, reflecting an increase of approximately 1.6% since Wednesday. This upward movement coincides with positive responses to recent economic data and the European Central Bank's decision to maintain key interest rates amid steady inflation and a resilient economy, potentially creating favorable conditions for cryptocurrencies. Significant institutional purchases have also been highlighted on social media, including BlackRock and Fidelity acquiring 124 million in Ethereum. Additionally, Tom Lee's BitMine purchased 46,255 ETH for around 201 million, while BitMine Immersion has amassed a total of over 9.2 billion in ETH holdings. Recent posts suggest bullish consolidation for ETH, indicating positive market sentiment following these acquisitions.

MOGU | +116.8% | +15.6B
Mogu Inc | Broadline Retail

Mogu Inc. has announced a strategic allocation of up to 20 million in corporate assets towards digital currencies, including Bitcoin, Ethereum, and Solana, as approved by its board of directors on September 9, 2025. Chairman Chen Qi has been authorized to determine the timing and amount of these acquisitions. This move is part of Mogu's strategy to diversify its treasury holdings and enhance operational capabilities for next-generation AI products and services. Concurrently, social media discussions reflect user engagement with MOGU's recent price movements, with mentions of buying back dips and highlighting the company's digital currency allocation. This combination of strategic financial decisions and active social media conversation coincides with a notable increase in MOGU's stock price.

CNC | +11.8% | +2.2B
Centene Corp | Managed Health Care

Centene Corp reported its business and financial results through August, reaffirming its full-year 2025 forecast of approximately $1.75 adjusted earnings per share, exceeding the consensus estimate of $1.62. This announcement was made in a regulatory filing ahead of the company's participation in the Deutsche Bank 2025 Healthcare Summit on September 11. Following this news, Centene shares rose notably in pre-market trading, initially increasing by 4% and reaching premarket highs of 8%. Concurrently, social media discussions highlighted a significant increase in UnitedHealth Group's stock price, which may have contributed to the overall positive sentiment within the healthcare sector.

SNPS | +5.9% | +3.7B
Synopsys Inc | Application Software

Cathie Wood's ARK Investment acquired 16,000 shares of Synopsys, reflecting a continued commitment to the company. This purchase adds to ARK's existing stake, coinciding with recent price target adjustments from Morgan Stanley and Deutsche Bank, which have lowered their targets for Synopsys. Social media discussions reveal concerns about the company's valuation following a significant decline in its share price. One user noted that Synopsys is trading at levels not seen since April, suggesting alignment with what is perceived as "fair value" for a leader in electronic design automation. Despite a notable drop attributed to disappointing earnings, some analysts maintain bearish ratings with potential upside from the last close price. Currently, Synopsys is priced at multiples that indicate a divergence from previous trading patterns, with particular emphasis on its trailing twelve months non-GAAP price-to-earnings ratio and estimated FY25 earnings per share.

MU | +3.3% | +5.3B
Micron Technology Inc | Semiconductors

Micron Technology Inc has seen a notable increase in its stock price, rising by over 4% during the pre-market session. Recent comments from Edgewater point to a significant spike in US hyperscale demand, leading to higher pricing forecasts for the company. Additionally, social media discussions reveal that Micron's stock rose following Citi's announcement of a price target increase, with expectations of strong guidance and earnings from the upcoming fiscal Q4 report. Notably, Micron's stock surged to a three-month high, attributed to positive sentiment in the semiconductor sector despite broader industry challenges. Furthermore, Synopsys Inc experienced a significant increase, which may reflect sector dynamics influencing Micron's performance.

BABA | +2.6% | +74.4B
Alibaba Group Holding Ltd | Broadline Retail

Alibaba Group Holding Ltd announced a proposed offering of approximately 3.2 billion in zero-coupon convertible senior notes due in 2032. The net proceeds will primarily enhance its cloud infrastructure, with about 80% allocated to scaling data centers and upgrading technology. The remaining 20% will support international commerce operations, including investments in platforms like AliExpress and Lazada. Notably, Jefferies raised Alibaba's target price from 165.00 to 178.00. Additionally, mainland Chinese ownership in Alibaba reached an all-time high of 9.39%, with 1.793 billion shares held through the Stock Connect program. Despite this, Hong Kong shares are expected to open down by 1.3% following the bond announcement. In pre-market trading, Alibaba has gained around 3%, reflecting market reactions to the bond sale and broader investor interest.

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