Morning Market Pulse: Trump Housing Overhaul & AI Surge Drive Pre-Market Moves

The pre-market tone is cautiously optimistic as commodity futures show mixed momentum. WTI crude oil jumps 2.14% to $57.73, gold surges 1.27% to $4,443/oz, and silver gains 2.02% to $68.855, while copper dips 0.064% to $5.5065. These signals suggest a tug-of-war between inflation fears and industrial demand.

With Trump’s housing policy review and AI-driven tech earnings dominating headlines, markets are bracing for a volatile open. Here’s what to watch:

1. Trump’s Housing Policy Overhaul: A Game Changer for Affordability?

President Trump’s pledge to streamline zoning laws and reduce developer red tape aims to tackle a $400,000 median home price and 6.5% mortgage rates. While this could boost construction activity, the policy’s success hinges on state-level cooperation. For now, housing stocks like DHI and LEN may see short-term volatility as investors parse the political implications.

2. AI-Driven Earnings Surge: Intel and Micron Lead the Charge

Intel (INTC) and Micron (MU) are riding a $13.6B revenue wave, fueled by AI memory chip demand. Micron’s 200% stock surge in 2025 highlights its dominance in cloud and AI infrastructure. Intel’s ecosystem, including AMAT, is also reaping rewards. The sector’s momentum could outpace rivals like Samsung (SSNLF), but supply chain bottlenecks remain a risk.

3. Nvidia’s China Dilemma: Demand vs. Export Controls

Nvidia (NVDA) faces a paradox: Chinese giants like ByteDance and Tencent are placing orders, yet U.S. export restrictions loom. This tension could delay shipments and pressure margins. Investors are watching for regulatory updates, as a prolonged standoff might force Chinese firms to seek alternatives like AMD (AMD) or ASML (ASML).

4. Galectin’s Lifeline: A Biotech Play on NASH

Galectin (GAL) secures a $10M credit line to fund its NASH drug, GR-MD-02, through 2027. This funding buys time for Phase 3 trials and partnerships. With NASH therapies in high demand, GAL’s progress could attract biotech investors, though regulatory hurdles remain.

5. Fed’s Rate Pause: A Double-Edged Sword

The Fed’s potential delay of rate cuts until spring 2026 could stabilize mortgage rates but slow economic growth. For now, homebuilders and consumer discretionary stocks face headwinds, while gold and Treasury bonds gain traction as safe havens.

6. Robotaxi Expansion: Uber and Baidu’s London Gambit

Uber (UBER) and Baidu (BIDU) launch AI-powered robotaxis in London, signaling a $100B autonomous vehicle market. This partnership could disrupt traditional ride-hailing but hinges on regulatory approvals and public adoption. Investors should monitor Waymo (GOOGL) and Cruise (GM) for competitive responses.

Ticker/Company Watchlist

• INTC, MU: AI demand and capex growth; watch for Q2 guidance.
• NVDA: China order approvals and export policy updates.
• GAL: NASH trial progress and FDA feedback.
• UBER, BIDU: Robotaxi pilot performance and regulatory hurdles.
• DI, LEN: Housing policy impact on construction activity.

Analyst Summary

The market is split between optimism over AI-driven tech growth and caution about housing affordability and Fed inaction. Gold’s $4,400 milestone underscores a flight to safety, while short-sellers target consumer stocks. The key takeaway? Diversify across AI winners and defensive assets like gold, but stay wary of policy risks.

Upcoming Economic Highlights

No major data releases this week, but investors should monitor the Fed’s spring rate decision timeline and China’s PV manufacturing reforms in early 2026.