White House & Policy - August 11, 2026 (Morning)

 ## Policy Overview Overnight, the administration has maintained a cautious stance on the ongoing U.S.-Iran negotiations, with the president reiterating demands for reparations related to the Strait of Hormuz standoff. This hardening of position has diminished hopes for an imminent deal, contributing to geopolitical uncertainty. No new executive orders were announced, but the administration continues to emphasize a strategic approach to energy security and AI infrastructure investment. The White House has scheduled remarks later today to address national security concerns and outline steps to bolster critical infrastructure resilience. Additionally, congressional committees are set to hold hearings on AI regulation and semiconductor industry competitiveness, reflecting heightened legislative focus on technology policy. These developments underscore the administration’s dual priorities of managing geopolitical risks and fostering technological leadership. Market sentiment heading into the open is mixed, with cautious optimism on AI-related initiatives tempered by geopolitical tensions and inflation concerns. Investors are closely watching for signals from the president’s remarks and congressional hearings that could influence regulatory and fiscal policy trajectories. ## Market Impact Pre-market futures show modest gains in technology and industrial sectors, buoyed by news of substantial AI infrastructure financing and strong earnings from key players like Riot Platforms. The administration’s emphasis on AI investment has catalyzed enthusiasm in semiconductor and cloud computing stocks, with **$RIOT** surging nearly 19% pre-market following a $9.1 billion cloud deal announcement. Conversely, energy markets are reacting to the fading prospects of a U.S.-Iran deal, with crude oil prices edging higher above $84 per barrel amid concerns over supply disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz. This geopolitical risk is supporting energy-related equities but also adding inflationary pressure, which is reflected in a slight uptick in Treasury yields. The U.S. dollar remains steady, supported by safe-haven demand amid geopolitical uncertainty. Bond markets are experiencing modest selling pressure as investors price in potential inflation risks. Precious metals like gold and silver are firm, with gold holding above $4,400 per ounce, reflecting cautious risk sentiment. ## Winners & Losers ### Potential Winners **$RIOT** - Benefiting from a $9.1 billion AI cloud infrastructure lease deal, signaling strong demand for data center capacity and AI compute power. **$QMCO** - Shares up 15.4% pre-market on positive earnings and AI-related growth prospects in data storage solutions. **$BA** - Upgraded to Buy by Argus Research on production progress, supported by defense and aerospace spending amid geopolitical tensions. **$INTC** - Announced a $20 billion stock offering to fund AI build-out, reflecting strong positioning in semiconductor manufacturing. **$AMD** - Data not available, but likely to benefit from AI infrastructure focus and semiconductor demand. **$NVDA** - Although specific price data not provided, Nvidia’s $500 billion AI infrastructure financing partnership with Wall Street firms signals robust growth potential. ### Potential Losers **$RKLB** - Rocket Lab shares down sharply after earnings miss and cautious broadband market commentary, reflecting competitive pressures. **$OPFI** - OppFi shares fall after missing Q2 earnings and cutting full-year guidance, indicating challenges in fintech lending. **$ONON** - Data not available, but grouped with other downbeat pre-market movers. **$HIMS** - Shares down despite GLP-1 growth, reflecting near-term profitability pressures. **$TWST** - Data not available, but sector rotation away from some tech names may pressure shares. **$PLUG** - Data not available, but hydrogen and alternative energy sectors face mixed reactions amid energy price volatility. ## Sector Exposure - **Technology:** The administration’s focus on AI infrastructure and semiconductor competitiveness is driving sector momentum. The $500 billion AI financing initiative and congressional hearings on AI regulation highlight the sector’s central role in policy. Stocks like **$RIOT**, **$QMCO**, and **$INTC** are in focus. - **Energy:** Geopolitical tensions in the Middle East and the fading U.S.-Iran deal are elevating risks and opportunities. Oil prices above $84 per barrel support energy producers and midstream companies, while concerns about supply chain disruptions persist. - **Defense:** Heightened geopolitical risks and the president’s remarks on national security are supporting defense contractors like **$BA**, which benefits from increased spending and production upgrades. - **Financials:** Mixed signals from fintech earnings and regulatory scrutiny are creating volatility. The sector is sensitive to inflation and interest rate developments influenced by policy and geopolitical risk. ## What to Watch Today - The president’s scheduled remarks on national security and infrastructure resilience, which could clarify the administration’s stance on Middle East tensions and energy policy. - Congressional hearings on AI regulation and semiconductor industry competitiveness, with potential implications for technology sector oversight and investment incentives. - Market reaction to Treasury auctions and inflation data releases later this week, which will influence bond yields and dollar strength. - Key levels in **$RIOT**, **$QMCO**, and **$INTC** as investors digest AI infrastructure financing news and earnings updates. - Oil price movements in response to ongoing Strait of Hormuz developments and geopolitical risk assessments.