Stock Futures, Treasurys Steady But Nvidia Slides Premarket on Huang Probe
By Joe StonorStock futures and Treasury yields were largely steady after tumultuous trading last week, though Nvidia shares fell sharply premarket after the company launched an investigation into Chief Executive Officer Jensen Huang.Dow Jones Industrial Average futures rose 0.6% and S&P 500 futures were up 0.2%. The Nasdaq lagged behind, however, with contracts tied to the index trading flat, largely due to Nvidia's performance. Shares in the world's most valuable company fell close to 5% premarket after the company's board said it is launching an investigation into Huang's relationship with an executive suspected of working for Chinese intelligence.The company's board said in a statement Sunday it has no reason to believe either the company's secrets or national security were compromised and expressed confidence in the CEO's leadership.Stocks fared positively in Asia and Europe as investors stepped in to buy the dip after last week's rout. Indexes in both continents were mostly higher, with Taiwan's Taiex advancing 4.9%--a reversal on last week, when authorities intervened to stem losses in local stocks. Japan's Nikkei Stock Average gained 2.3%, while Shanghai-listed shares also rose. In Europe, stocks rallied after a wobble at the open, with banking and technology stocks up sharply.Oil extended last week's slump, with benchmark Brent crude contracts down 2.1% to trade around $96.30 a barrel. West Texas Intermediate contracts fell below $90 a barrel. Optimism that the U.S. won't resume strikes against Iran lifted after President Trump told CNN that strikes were unlikely as long as negotiations progress.Treasury yields were little moved, with 10-year yields holding below 4.900%, while 30-year yields hovered below 5.270%. Two-year yields were slightly higher to trade around 4.530%.The dollar weakened and gold contracts rose above $4,100 a troy ounce. Bitcoin edged higher at around $74,500. U.S. inflation prints on Tuesday and Friday will be in focus for investors, after hotter-than-forecast jobs data Friday kept a December Federal Reserve rate hike firmly on the table.For the day ahead, European finance ministers gather in Brussels, where they are expected to discuss a successor to Christine Lagarde as president of the European Central Bank. Separately, Bank of England Governor Andrew Bailey will give a speech, as will a clutch of Fed policymakers. KKR and Constellation Energy are among companies reporting earnings Monday.Write to Joe Stonor at [email protected]