The energy sector is off to a higher start, supported by strength in the underlying commodities and in the major equity futures. U.S. stock index futures edged higher on optimism that a deal to avoid a catastrophic U.S. debt default could be reached over the weekend.
WTI and Brent crude oil futures are trading higher as investors turned cautiously optimistic over the fading risk of a U.S. debt default. Sentiment has remained mixed as investors weigh optimism over the avoidance of a U.S. debt default against inflation data that could portend more interest rate hikes from global central banks. However, Middle East crude prices in Asia fell to their lowest level in months, despite OPEC+ production cuts, as Asian refiners held back spot purchases and China and India binged on cheap Russian oil.
Natural gas futures are extending gains for the second-straight session on a smaller-than-expected U.S. storage build and as wildfires kept gas exports from Canada near a 25-month low.
Just a few hours ago, it was revealed that Warren Buffett purchased an additional $200 million [or ~ 3.46 million shares] in OXY stock from May 16-18, 2023, according to the recent SEC filing.
In total, Berkshire now owns more than 217.3 million shares of Occidental Petroleum, valued at approximately $12.7 billion. Additionally, Berkshire holds around $9.5 billion worth of Occidental preferred stock, which carries an 8% annual dividend, and has warrants to purchase $5 billion worth of Occidental common shares for $59.62 per share.
OpenAI released an app of its chatbot for the iPhone in the US and said a version for green texters is on the way. The ChatGPT app functions similarly to the existing browser design (free, no ads), but OpenAI hopes that by making ChatGPT easily accessible on your phone, you’ll use it more—and Google Search less. In other AI news, Meta, for the first time, revealed the extensive infrastructure it’s been building to support its artificial intelligence ambitions, including a “family” of chips.
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US stock futures rise early Friday, as investors still await progress in debt-ceiling...
US stock futures rise early Friday, as investors still await progress in debt-ceiling talks. Meanwhile, Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell and New York Fed President John Williams are due to make speeches later today. Check out the latest market moves.
Earnings on deck: Morgan Stanley, Honeywell, Amgen, all reporting.