AI Stock Market News Today

Crypto exchange Gemini has received regulatory clearance to operate its own derivatives clearinghouse, facilitating a strategic pivot toward prediction markets and perpetual futures. The move aims to diversify revenue streams and reduce reliance on volatile spot trading volumes.

• CFTC approval allows Gemini to clear and settle derivatives trades in-house
• Strategic focus shifting toward perpetual futures and prediction markets

MARA Holdings has agreed to purchase Long Ridge Energy & Power from FTAI Infrastructure for approximately $1.52 billion. The transaction includes the assumption of $785 million in existing debt.

• Total deal value estimated at $1.52 billion
• Includes assumption of $785 million in existing debt

Amazon shares climbed 3.5% following its latest earnings report, lifting sentiment for exchange-traded funds with significant exposure to the e-commerce leader. The positive price action is providing a tailwind for portfolios heavily weighted in the tech giant.

• AMZN shares increased by roughly 3.5% post-earnings
• Positive sentiment spreading to AMZN-heavy ETFs

The S&P 500 climbed 0.50% as strong mega-cap earnings and falling energy costs offset a hotter-than-expected inflation report. Investors are currently prioritizing corporate growth over immediate macroeconomic warnings.

• S&P 500 index gain of 0.50%
• Positive momentum from mega-cap tech earnings

Carvana reported first-quarter results that exceeded analyst expectations for both revenue and earnings. The stock climbed nearly 7% in premarket trading as vehicle sales volume increased.

• Q1 revenue and earnings exceeded analyst forecasts
• Vehicle sales volume grew by 40%

New data indicates small and medium-sized enterprises are absorbing a significant portion of recent college graduates amid a challenging corporate hiring environment. While starting salaries remain lower than at large firms, these roles offer agility and rapid advancement opportunities.

• SMB hiring for new grads holding steady at nearly 1 million.
• NACE reports a 5.6% increase in overall 2026 hiring projections.

A new Rhodium Group report indicates that Chinese foreign direct investment in the US is unlikely to recover significantly. The analysis highlights a stark disconnect between political rhetoric and actual capital flows.

• Rhodium Group forecasts no meaningful rebound in Chinese FDI
• 10-year investment total of $190B contradicts $1T political claims

The United States economy demonstrated continued resilience in the first quarter of 2026. Inflation-adjusted GDP grew at an annualized rate of 2%, supported by strong spending.

• Annualized GDP growth reached 2% for Q1 2026
• Consumer demand remains a primary driver of expansion

Royal Caribbean reported a first-quarter earnings beat but adjusted its full-year profit expectations downward. The company cited rising fuel costs as a primary headwind for the remainder of the year.

• First-quarter earnings beat analyst expectations
• Annual profit forecast cut due to fuel costs

U.S. stock futures are trending higher as investors process a flurry of economic indicators and quarterly results from major technology firms. Dow futures rose 0.6% amid mixed reactions to reports from the industry's largest players.

• Dow futures rose 0.6% ahead of the open
• Mixed responses to Meta, Microsoft, Alphabet, and Amazon earnings

Activist hedge fund Saba Capital has successfully ousted the board of the Edinburgh Worldwide Investment Trust to implement a new strategic mandate. The victory follows a protracted dispute over the fund's management of its SpaceX holdings and its discount to net asset value.

• Saba Capital successfully installed three board nominees
• Fund will pivot from tech focus to UK-listed investment trusts

AXXCESS Wealth Management has fully exited its position in the Vanguard Total Corporate Bond ETF (VTC). The move is viewed as a strategic portfolio consolidation rather than a bearish signal for the investment-grade bond market.

• Complete sale of 772,526 VTC shares
• Estimated transaction value of $60 million