Daily US Equity Opening News 14th August 2026

Daily US Equity Opening News - 14th August 2026 RDDT to replace AVB in SPX; AAPL trains China AI model; AMAT falls despite strong results/outlook DAY AHEAD:

• US INDEX FUTURES: ES +0.1%, NQ +0.3%, YM -0.1%, RUT +0.1% • BROKER MOVES: AEHR Initiated with a Buy at Jefferies; LUNR upgraded at Stifel. For the full list, click here. • MAJOR MORNING MOVES RECAP: RDDT, AMAT, LRCX, AAPL, TSN, W, SNDK. For the full list, click here. • EVENTS: US President Trump will deliver remarks from New York at 15:00EDT/20:00BST. • DATA: In North America, US will release prelim University of Michigan consumer sentiment, with the headline seen easing to 54.5 (prev. 55.2), current conditions at 55.0 (prev. 54.8), expectations at 55.2 (prev. 55.4); 1yr inflation expectations are seen easing to 4.1% (from 4.2%), while 5-10yr expectations are seen easing to 3.2% (prev. 3.3%). After today’s data, the Atlanta Fed will update its GDPNow Q3 tracking model (it was previously tracking growth of 5.8%). • ENERGY: Baker Hughes will report its weekly rig count data (prev. oil 454, gas 124, total 588). • CRA: Fitch reviews the UK (AA).

NEWS: INDEX: • S&P 500 (SPX) - Reddit (RDDT) will replace AvalonBay (AVB) in the S&P 500 before trading on 18th August, while post-merger Vivmark Residential (VMRK) remains in the index. Sun Communities (SUI) will replace Webster Financial (WBS) in the S&P MidCap 400 before trading on 20th August.

TECH: • Apple (AAPL) - Apple has trained a China-specific large language model with Alibaba’s (BABA) support and plans to launch Apple Intelligence in China in coming months, according to sources cited by Reuters. The proprietary model would give Apple greater control over AI features, while Alibaba’s Qwen and Baidu (BIDU) technology are also planned for Chinese devices. • Apple (AAPL) - Apple must participate in lower-court proceedings over commissions on purchases outside its App Store after the US Supreme Court rejected its request for a stay. Apple argued it should be allowed to charge developers 15%, while acknowledging the Ninth Circuit’s ruling would imply a zero commission for anything beyond necessary costs. • Samsung Electronics (SSNLF) - Samsung is considering converting its NRD-K Line 2 in Giheung from R&D use into a foundry send-fab targeting 2nm HBM base dies for Nvidia, ZDNet Korea reports. The facility is targeted to open in H2 2028. Samsung plans about KRW 20tln investment across three NRD-K lines by 2030, though plans may still change. • LG Group (066570 KS), Nvidia (NVDA) - LG Group will unveil a humanoid robot using Nvidia’s Isaac GR00T platform in Q1 2027 and deepen cooperation in AI data centres and mobility, The Korea Times reports. LG Electronics, LG Innotek and LG Energy Solution will supply key robot components. LG also plans an Nvidia-based AI data centre reference site in H1 2027, and an 80- megawatt facility in H1 2028. • Applied Materials (AMAT) - Applied Materials’ shares fell in extended US trading as lofty investor expectations overshadowed solid quarterly results, an above-consensus outlook, and continued strength in AI-related semiconductor equipment demand. Q3 adj. EPS 3.50 (exp. 3.40), Q3 revenue +25% Y/Y at USD 9.12bln (exp. 9.0bln). Revenue reached a record, with the company also posting the highest sequential revenue growth in its history. Management expects strong H2 demand across DRAM, leading-edge foundry-logic and advanced packaging, with calendar-2026 packaging revenue now seen growing more than 70% (up from prior expectations of more than 50%). CEO said AI adoption is driving unprecedented demand for materials engineering solutions, while customer visibility has lengthened, with some discussions extending to 2030. Sees Q4 adj. EPS between 3.82-4.22 (exp. 3.68), Q4 revenue between USD 9.75-10.75bln (exp. 9.54bln), Q4 adj. gross margin of about 50.4% (exp. 50.15%). Management also raised its FY26 Semiconductor Systems revenue expectations and expects another strong growth year in 2027. Applied Materials (AMAT) had its price target lowered to USD 650 from USD 720 at BofA and to USD 675 from USD 705 at UBS, with both firms maintaining Buy ratings. BofA cited softer gross-margin leverage and more…