Key Takeaways
- Major U.S. stock indices finished the day with slight gains, with the Nasdaq, S&P 500, and Dow Jones all closing marginally higher.
- The Trump Administration is reportedly discussing the U.S. government taking a stake in Intel (INTC) to bolster the chipmaker's expansion in Ohio, following a recent meeting with Intel's CEO.
- The U.S. will establish a Strategic Bitcoin Reserve using forfeited Bitcoin, but Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent clarified the government will not purchase additional Bitcoin, instead relying solely on confiscated assets.
- Nvidia-backed Lambda is in talks to raise an additional $800 million, which would significantly boost its valuation and precede a potential IPO by year-end, driven by surging demand for AI computing infrastructure.
Market Overview
U.S. equity markets concluded Thursday with modest advances across key indices. The Nasdaq climbed 11.52 points (0.05%), settling at 21,724.66. The S&P 500 also posted a slight gain, rising 5.49 points (0.08%) to close at 6,472.07. Meanwhile, the Dow Jones Industrial Average finished the session up 9.52 points (0.02%) at 44,931.79. These minimal movements suggest a relatively calm trading day as investors processed a range of corporate and geopolitical news.
Corporate and Tech Developments
Significant attention was drawn to Intel (INTC) as reports emerged that the Trump Administration is in discussions about the U.S. government acquiring a stake in the company. These talks reportedly followed a recent meeting between President Trump and Intel's CEO, Lip-Bu Tan, and aim to support the chipmaker's expansion plans in Ohio, particularly for a delayed factory hub. This potential government involvement highlights a strategic push to strengthen domestic technology and manufacturing capabilities.
In the artificial intelligence sector, Nvidia (NVDA)-backed Lambda is reportedly seeking to raise an additional $800 million in funding. This new capital injection is expected to significantly increase the company's valuation, potentially positioning it for an initial public offering (IPO) by the end of the year. The funding is earmarked for acquiring more Nvidia GPUs and cloud networking software, as well as expanding its workforce, driven by the surging demand for AI computing infrastructure.
Bitcoin and Digital Assets Policy
The U.S. government is moving forward with plans to establish a Strategic Bitcoin Reserve using Bitcoin that has been forfeited to the federal government. However, U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent clarified that the government will not be purchasing additional Bitcoin for this reserve. Instead, the reserve will be built up solely through confiscated assets. Bessent noted that the current value of the U.S. Bitcoin holdings for this reserve is estimated to be between $15 billion and $20 billion. This policy aims for a "budget-neutral" approach to digital asset accumulation, focusing on seized funds rather than market acquisitions.
Geopolitical and Trade Insights
On the international stage, Japan is set to propose the creation of an Indian Ocean–Africa logistics network at an upcoming summit, according to Nikkei. This initiative signals Japan's intent to enhance trade and resource connectivity across these vital regions.
Meanwhile, EU Foreign Policy Chief Kaja Kallas strongly criticized the Israeli E1 settlement plan, asserting that it constitutes a breach of international law and further undermines the two-state solution. The European Union reiterated its call for Israel to halt all settlement construction, emphasizing the significant implications of such actions for regional peace efforts.
Ed Liston is a senior contributing editor at TheStockMarketWatch.com. An active market watcher and investor, Ed guides an independent team of experienced analysts and writes for multiple stock trader publications.